Assignment Draft2
Title: Lean Waste Stream Management: Process Optimization for 4R Implementation in
Malaysian Ramadan Bazaars.
Problem statement: The operational processes in Malaysian Ramadan Bazaars are
inefficient to implement the 4R principles (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle),
leading to a severe waste problem. This is proven by a consistent 15-20% spike in
food waste (about 75,000 extra tons) each Ramadan, as reported by national
authorities [1][2]. The root causes are clear: studies show traders systematically
over-prepare food due to a lack of planning [3], while the transactional process
relies heavily on single-use plastics with no support for reusables [4]. Finally,
the complete absence of standardized on-site waste segregation causes food waste to
contaminate recyclables, crippling recycling efforts and overwhelming municipal
systems [5].
Objectives:
I. To analyse the root causes and material flow of waste generation within the
Ramadan Bazaar supply chain.
II. To design an integrated lean waste management model that standardizes 4R-
compliant processes for Ramadan Bazaars.
Research scopes:
I. Map the entire journey from food preparation to disposal, measure the exact
types and amounts of waste at each stage, and identify the key reasons why so much
excess food and plastic waste is generated. (Objective I)
II. Developing and testing a new, more efficient trash management system for the
bazaars that will create practical standard procedures for traders to reduce food
overproduction and reduce single-use plastics while encouraging reusable
containers. (Objective II)