28/03/2025

LYFE

FRIDAY | MAR 28, 2025

21

LYFE

Dressed against waste

A NTI-FOOD waste initiative MYSaveFood has launched #BazirRamadan , a Raya fashion collection made using unsold and discarded food from Ramadan bazaars, highlighting the staggering amount of food wasted during the holy month. “Bazar”, the Malay language equivalent for bazaar, is only one letter away from “bazir”, meaning waste. Hence, #BazirRamadan was born. In 2024 alone, more than 60,000kg of food was wasted at 147 Ramadan bazaars, enough to feed 120,000 people. So this year, taking inspiration from the Malay slang term “pesen”, meaning habit or style and also a derivation from the word “fashion”, MYSaveFood debuted the trashiest avant-garde collection to make a bold fashion statement against food waste, just like how local fashion houses launch a new baju raya collection each year. The #BazirRamadan collection was launched via a red-carpeted “trashwalk” featuring MYSaveFood spokesperson Brozir and his friends strutting down the Pantai Dalam Ramadan Bazaar in a specially-designed suit made out of discarded food waste o Group shines spotlight on Ramadan bazaar surplus food

MYSaveFood holds a ‘trashwalk’ of people wearing discarded food waste to make a bold fashion statement against wastage.

Ainul A’syara Kamal. MYSaveFood is still actively recruiting volunteers via the #BazirRamadan initiative to help distribute surplus meals collected from Ramadan bazaars to the less fortunate.

“As of March 16, our volunteers have collected 46,208kg of unsold food from 108 bazaars around Malaysia, equivalent to RM599,100 in value. This surplus food is then distributed to those in need,” said MySaveFood deputy director

approach with this stunt to bring attention to the issue. MYSaveFood has been working with vendors at Ramadan bazaars for the past nine years to salvage unsold food from bazaars as an effort to reduce food waste.

from bazaars. “Food waste during Ramadan has always been a long-standing issue. People know of it, but not many have done something about it. “That is why we took a bold

Lotus’s Malaysia spreads Ramadan joy with charity cookout EMBRACING the spirit of Ramadan, Lotus’s Stores (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Lotus’s Malaysia) hosted its fourth annual #KitakanJiran Ramadan cookout. This initiative, part of its ongoing Senyuman Paling Bernilai campaign, focused on aiding vulnerable communities by providing nutritious iftar meals and basic necessities. The cookout, held at Lotus’s Kajang in collaboration with

(From right) Azliza, Lotus’s Malaysia head of communications and sustainability Hanim Hamdan, Lotus’s Kajang general manager Nita Kamaruzaman and Food Aid Foundation programme and CSR manager Izzul Nordin distributing duit raya.

long-time charity partner Food Aid Foundation, provided hot iftar meals for 600 Kajang community members. This was made possible by over 60 volunteers from Lotus’s and Food Aid Foundation. Specifically, 500 meals were distributed to residents of Pusat Jagaan Insan Nur Cahaya, Pertubuhan Ikhlas Malaysia, Pusat Jagaan Sinar Cahaya, Pusat Jagaan Mahmudah Malaysia, Persatuan Kebajikan Siti Nor Aini, Pertubuhan Kebajikan & Bimbingan At-Taqwa and Pusat Jagaan Al-Fikrah. Additionally, 100 children from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Rumah Pusat Pengasih Warga Prihatin and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ehsan Ash-Shakur were invited to the Lotus’s Kajang outlet for a special evening of fun with the popular locally animated siblings Omar & Hana , followed by iftar and Maghrib prayers at Surau Saujana Impian. “Ramadan is a good time that inspires reflection and the act of giving. Through sadaqah and the preparation of these iftar meals, we continue to bring smiles to vulnerable communities, ensuring their access towards nutritious food. It is incredibly rewarding to see our colleagues and brand partners unite to share this spirit of kindness and

contribute essential support to ease the upcoming Ramadan and Raya preparations,” said Lotus’s Malaysia corporate services executive director Azliza Azmel. Lotus’s also organised activities featuring Omar & Hana at its Kajang mall area. The children participated in interactive sessions with the beloved characters, a video games session as well as arts and crafts activities. “I am grateful for the diverse support from our brand partners and mall tenants, who have generously provided products, vouchers and tokens, amounting to over RM42,600. The 500 beneficiaries will receive essential groceries and drinks, while each invited child from the two homes will be treated to a RM50 Lotus’s voucher, RM150 discount

vouchers from Bata, arcade tokens from Playland and Omar & Hana merchandise, along with the groceries and drinks.” Lotus’s extended its #KitakanJiran Ramadan activities with a month-long donation drive, uniting with various brand partners to contribute essential goods. An estimated RM250,000 worth of fresh whole chickens, staple commodities, beverages, confectionery and sauces were distributed to 16,000 individuals at 40 mosques across Peninsular Malaysia. Additionally, Lotus’s launched its Senyuman Paling Bernilai Ramadan-Raya 2025 campaign in February. Customers can enjoy up to 50% discounts on 4,500 items across various categories, participate in Raya World events at 32 Lotus’s

Children from Rumah Pusat Pengasih Warga Prihatin and Pertubuhan Kebajikan Ehsan Ash-Shakur enjoy an iftar meal at Lotus’s Kajang.

Raya campaign. For information on Lotus’s Malaysia’s Senyuman Paling Bernilai Ramadan-Raya 2025 campaign, visit https://www.facebook.com/Lotuss Malaysia.

outlets, shop affordable Rahmah apparel ranging from RM35 to RM89 at 53 outlets and stand a chance to win over RM1 million in prizes through the Tap-Tap Ketupat Game and the My Debit Syiokkk