SHAH ALAM, Aug 5 — For most people, spoiled fruits and vegetables are little more than rubbish destined for the landfill.
In Shah Alam, however, these discarded food items are collected almost every day and transformed into organic fertiliser that is put to good use by local communities.
The initiative, introduced by the Shah Alam City Council (MBSA) in 2016, aims to change public perception that food waste inevitably ends up at disposal sites. Instead, it demonstrates how what is often regarded as worthless refuse can be turned into a valuable resource that supports sustainability and the circular economy.
Beyond diverting waste from landfills, the programme contributes to environmental conservation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while providing communities with affordable organic fertiliser for urban farming and community gardens.
Organic waste takes priority
According to MBSA, the programme was introduced after it found that about 42 per cent of the more than 700 metric tonnes of waste generated daily within its jurisdiction consists of surplus food and organic matter.
The initiative also complements the council’s broader objective of reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills.
MBSA deputy director of Public Cleansing and Waste Sustainability Haslina Ab Aziz said the programme began as a pilot project at the Section 6 Market in 2016, using just two composting machines installed at the market before being gradually expanded.
Today, MBSA operates nine composting centres equipped with 10 composting machines of varying capacities at the Section 6 Market, Section 16 Market, Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh Market and several council-owned food stalls.
Between 2021 and May this year, MBSA collected more than 291 metric tonnes of food waste, comprising discarded vegetables and fruits gathered from markets, food stalls and restaurants across Shah Alam. The waste was subsequently processed into nearly 28 metric tonnes of organic fertiliser.
Beginning this year, more than 2,000 food premises have been required to separate food waste at source before it is collected independently by contractors appointed by MBSA and transported to the nearest composting centre.
“Collections are carried out six days a week, from Monday to Saturday, to ensure the waste is processed as quickly as possible,” Haslina told Bernama.
Five kilogrammes yield one kilogramme
Before processing, all food waste is sorted to remove contaminants such as plastic before being mixed with coconut pulp and enzymes to accelerate decomposition.
Haslina said coconut pulp helps retain moisture, creating favourable conditions for bacteria that break down organic matter.
Using the composting machines, the entire process takes approximately three to four days to produce organic fertiliser.
On average, one kilogramme (kg) of food waste yields about 200 grammes of compost, meaning roughly five kg of food waste are required to produce one kilogramme of organic fertiliser.
The programme’s effectiveness is reflected in its steadily increasing compost production. Output rose from about 3.2 metric tonnes in 2021 to 4.9 metric tonnes in 2022, before recording 4.1 metric tonnes in 2023.
Production rebounded to 5.7 metric tonnes last year and surged to 9.8 metric tonnes as of May this year, the highest level since the programme was introduced.
Haslina said waste collection and processing operations are managed by MBSA-appointed contractors, assisted by on-site general workers to ensure smooth operations.
Benefitting the community
Haslina said the council’s organic fertiliser, marketed under the ‘Foodie Compost’ brand, undergoes quality testing by the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM) to ensure its nutrient content and pH level meet appropriate standards for agricultural use.
“Our objective is not merely to sell compost, but to educate the public to view food waste as a resource that can be returned to the soil and benefit the environment,” she said.
Currently, the fertiliser is sold through MBSA-organised programmes and utilised by registered community gardens, including those in Section 8, Section 20 and the Surau Al Husna Community Garden in Section 20.
The fertiliser is priced at RM5 per one-kg pack, making it affordable for most consumers.
“Response has been extremely encouraging. Whenever we sell it during MBSA programmes or events, the stock is usually sold out,” she said.
Describing the initiative as delivering multiple benefits, Haslina said reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills also cuts methane emissions, one of the major contributors to global warming.
At the same time, the organic fertiliser improves soil fertility and structure while enhancing the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients.
From a socio-economic perspective, she said, the programme helps farmers and gardeners reduce production costs, produce healthier crops and create opportunities in the rapidly expanding green economy.
Exploring new technologies
To further strengthen organic waste management, MBSA plans to increase the number of composting machines in line with the expected rise in food waste collection as more premises participate in waste separation initiatives.
Over the next five years, the council also intends to explore the use of Anaerobic Digester (AD) technology, which can convert food waste into both organic fertiliser and biogas.
In addition, MBSA is studying the potential of Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae technology as an alternative method for managing organic waste.
Meanwhile, its Garbage to Garden (G2G) programme will continue to be expanded to encourage residents to manage household food waste through small-scale composting at home.
“We want to change the public mindset that food waste does not have to end up in landfills. Instead, it can return to the garden as organic fertiliser. That is the culture we hope to cultivate among the people of Shah Alam,” Haslina said. — Bernama
