Megah Rise Mall hosts initiative to combat food waste

In an effort to educate the community and inspire action against food waste, a weekend-long “Stop Food Waste” initiative was held at Megah Rise Mall from April 26th to 28th, 2024.

This initiative, coinciding with Stop Food Waste Day on April 24th, was a joint effort by PPB Properties and Saving Graze, a social enterprise established in 2019 to combat food waste in Malaysia.

Megah Rise Mall raising awareness and inspiring action

Saving Graze, the initiative’s strategic partner, is known for founding Malaysia’s first surplus market and cafe, Graze Market and Graze Eatery.

“Addressing food waste is crucial for Malaysia,” said Clara Wan, founder of Saving Graze.

“By redirecting surplus food to those in need, we can enhance food security and minimise environmental impact through reduced greenhouse gas emissions and resource conservation.”

Wan emphasized the importance of tackling food waste for sustainable development and resource management.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate on this event, which helps raise awareness, inspire action, and drive positive change towards a more sustainable and equitable food system in the Petaling Jaya community,” she added.

Interactive activities and educational opportunities

The weekend featured a variety of interactive workshops and activities, including an educational mini-exhibition, workshops, cooking demonstrations, and children’s activities.

All activities were specifically designed to promote reducing food waste and loss, with demonstrations on how to turn food scraps into compost using methods like black soldier fly larvae and traditional composting.

The event also provided a platform for eight eco-conscious social enterprises and entrepreneurs to showcase their initiatives.

Companies like Quinterra and Entomal promoted composting with black soldier fly larvae and offered compost products, while Paperbox Malaysia and Graze Market highlighted surplus and rescued food options.

A key element of the initiative was the mini-exhibition designed to educate and raise awareness about the importance of fighting food waste. Visitors were encouraged to pledge their commitment to reducing waste by signing a designated wall.

The weekend’s activities proved to be a success, attracting over 350 participants from all walks of life, including children and families. Over 100 pledges were collected, demonstrating a strong community response.

This initiative serves as an extension of PPB Properties’ long-term sustainability program, The REplace Project. The company aims to continue promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness within its communities through similar events.

The REplace Project is slated to roll out at other retail malls with a commitment to hosting further educational initiatives.

For more information about The REplace Project and other sustainability events, visit the PPB Properties website (https://www.ppbgroup.com/index.php/what-we-do/property/overview) or Facebook page.