#BazirRamadan: Turning bazaar food waste into trashy fashion, to make a statement
Raising awareness on food wastage during Ramadan.
RAMADAN is a time for reflection, gratitude and generosity. Yet, year after year, it also becomes a season of excess—especially when it comes to food.
The vibrant Ramadan bazaars that draw thousands with their irresistible spread of traditional delicacies also generate staggering amounts of food waste. In 2024 alone, more than 60,000 kg of food was wasted at 147 bazaars across Malaysia—an amount that could have fed 120,000 people.
In response to this, MYSaveFood, an anti-food waste initiative, has taken an unconventional approach to raising awareness: turning unsold and discarded bazaar food into an avant-garde fashion statement.
Enter #BazirRamadan, a trashy yet thought-provoking collection designed to make people stop and rethink their food consumption habits.
The name #BazirRamadan is a clever play on words, inspired by how the Malay word ‘bazar’ is just one letter away from ‘bazir’, meaning waste. This year's campaign takes it one step further, drawing from the Malay slang term ‘pesen’—which means both habit and style—to create a bold, trash-inspired Raya fashion collection.
Instead of silk and embroidery, the #BazirRamadan collection features garments made from discarded bazaar food, styled into avant-garde outfits meant to shock and provoke conversation.
The campaign debuted through a ‘trashwalk’ at the Pantai Dalam Ramadan Bazaar, where ‘Brozir’, the campaign’s spokesperson and his friends strutted down a makeshift red carpet dressed in food waste couture.
MYSaveFood deputy director of Ainul A’syara Kamal, highlighted that food waste during Ramadan remains a persistent challenge.
“People know of it, but not many have done something about it. That is why we took a bold approach with this stunt to bring attention to the issue.
“For nearly a decade, MYSaveFood has been working closely with Ramadan bazaar vendors to salvage unsold food and redistribute it to those in need. As of March 16, our volunteers have collected 46,208 kg of unsold food from 108 bazaars around Malaysia, equivalent to RM599,100 in value.
“This surplus food is then distributed to those in need,” she said.
The #BazirRamadan campaign does not end with a trashy fashion show. MYSaveFood is actively recruiting volunteers to help collect and distribute surplus food from Ramadan bazaars to underprivileged communities.
By joining the initiative, everyday Malaysians can take part in reducing food waste and ensuring that more people have access to meals during the festive season.
As we celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, let us not just focus on indulgence but also on mindfulness. After all, the true spirit of Ramadan isn’t about excess—it is about gratitude, sharing and making sure that no one is left behind.
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