By: Aida Aziz
The Ipoh City Council (MBI) became the first local authority (PBT) in Perak to introduce the concept of an eco-friendly Ramadan bazaar this year.
The mayor of Ipoh, Datuk Rumaizi said, Ramadan bazaar visitors are encouraged to bring their own food containers while traders are encouraged to use biodegradable food containers.
Rumaizi stressed that the matter may be made mandatory for the next few years to protect the environment and to avoid pollution.
“To support the ‘Low Carbon City’ campaign, this year’s Ramadan bazaar adopts the concept of an environmentally friendly Ramadan bazaar.
“Now we first encourage traders and buyers to do so, and one day we may also recommend tents using environmentally friendly materials.
“But slowly… because this all involves costs. We want to reduce the use of plastic.
“Let’s see the situation first (obligatory to use biodegradable food containers and bring your food containers for next year),” he said.
He said this to reporters at a press conference after chairing the February 2023 Full Council Meeting at the MBI Meeting Hall, on Wednesday.
He also said that for the first year of implementation, his side is in the process of educating the community first, before any enforcement is implemented.
“It takes one to two years in the education phase, I don’t know how long because it also takes time depending on the acceptance of the traders,” he added.
In the meantime, he said, traders are also encouraged to participate in the used oil recycling programme for biofuel purposes by selling used cooking oil to companies appointed according to the schedule.
He said in addition, the implementation of cashless payment methods and activities with Food Panda for the programme as well as food delivery were also implemented at selected Ramadan bazaar locations.
