Kuching, Sarawak, 27 July 2026 — Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) is set to launch Sarawak’s first “Zero Food Waste to Landfill” initiative in Kuching, marking a significant step towards making the state’s business events industry more sustainable and environmentally responsible. The pilot project will be carried out during the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) 51st World Polymer Congress (MACRO 2026) from 28 to 31 July, with the initiative designed to explore practical and measurable approaches to food waste prevention at major international events.
The four-day pilot is a collaboration between BESarawak, the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (Institut Kimia Malaysia), Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK), The Waterfront Hotel Kuching and Conference Partners Asia. With more than 800 delegates expected to attend the congress, the initiative will examine whether effective food waste management practices can be incorporated into a large-scale international conference without affecting the overall delegate experience. The project is also envisioned as a live case study that could serve as a model for future business events held in Sarawak.
As part of the initiative, BESarawak is working towards achieving The Pledge on Food Waste Certification, an internationally recognised standard focused on measurable food waste prevention and diversion. Sustainability measures will be implemented at both BCCK, the main conference venue, and The Waterfront Hotel Kuching, which will host the gala dinner. These efforts will include menu planning, portion management and the recovery of surplus ingredients where food safety requirements allow.
To ensure transparency and accountability, every stage of the pilot project will be recorded through a compliance platform and independently assessed. The results will be made publicly available following the conclusion of the congress, providing valuable insights into the effectiveness of food waste reduction strategies within the business events sector.
For BESarawak and the Sarawak Government, the initiative reflects a commitment to integrating sustainability into economic development through practical and measurable action. The project demonstrates how the business events industry can contribute to a circular economy while encouraging more responsible consumption, in line with the aspirations of Sarawak’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.
The Malaysian Institute of Chemistry also views the initiative as an opportunity to demonstrate that sustainability should extend beyond scientific research and be reflected in the organisation of international conferences. By incorporating responsible practices into the delivery of MACRO 2026, the initiative aims to inspire delegates, event organisers and future scientific meetings to adopt more environmentally conscious approaches.
BESarawak hopes that the pilot will extend its impact beyond MACRO 2026 by establishing a practical framework that can be adopted by other large-scale events in the future. If successful in achieving The Pledge on Food Waste Certification, the initiative could set a new benchmark for sustainable business events in Sarawak and demonstrate the potential for the industry to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility.
The “Zero Food Waste to Landfill” initiative also aligns Sarawak’s business events sector with three United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action. Through this initiative, Sarawak is taking a meaningful step towards strengthening its position as a destination committed to sustainable, responsible and future-ready business events.
