LEE CHIA HUI

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Market’s Antidote: Designing Food Waste to be integrated as byproduct for Market

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Food wastage has become a raising concern in cities exacerbated by the convenience of food accessibility. One particular significant food waste generator is the wet market. To addresses the pressing issue, the thesis Market's Antidote proposes a resilient solution by designing food waste to be integrated as by-product for market.

 

A specific investigation is underway in Pasar Chow Kit, one of the largest wet markets in Kuala Lumpur. Through analysis, the organic wastes are identified as primarily comprised of undesired parts trimmed off and discarded produce to fulfil the demand for freshness. The thesis introduces a second life for food waste by recycling it into product that can be utilized within the market.

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To achieve this goal, the thesis devises integrating markets and food waste processing in one, creating a closed-loop food waste management within the market ecosystem. Three essential principles identified from dissertation’s research are adopted to motivate public’s recycling intention.

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The thesis aspires to preserve the traditional identity of wet markets as vital components of the nation’s food retail sector. By effectively transforming waste materials into valuable resources, this initiative fosters a more sustainable market ecosystem, creates economic opportunities, and upholds the cherished attribute of produce freshness that wet markets are renowned for.