Special days and events, like Ramadan, can be valuable moments for communities to make meaningful changes. The holy month of Ramadan shifts the daily routines for more than 2 billion people worldwide, especially consumption habits. To combat overconsumption, Green Ramadan initiatives emerge to realign religious and cultural traditions  with a more sustainable lifestyle. 

Spikes of Overconsumption 

Ramadan is an Islamic holy month where Muslims practice balancing religious worship and consumption through fasting. Even though overindulgence during iftar (breaking the fast) is highly ill-advised, food waste often spikes in countries where people practice Ramadan due to large-scale over-preparation and a shift in buying habits. For example, 20% of food is thrown away during Ramadan in Indonesia and 25-50% in West Asia. Meanwhile, approximately 1,850 tons and 4,500 tons of food are wasted in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, respectively. 

Additionally, surging nighttime activity and energy demand for cooking lead to higher energy consumption. According to the Middle East Economic Study Center, energy consumption tends to be 50% higher during Ramadan than in other months. More energy is used for air conditioning and extensive cooking for iftar and suhoor (pre-dawn meals). Not to mention, there is a spike in fossil fuel use due to the tradition of Muslims returning to their hometowns for Eid al-Fitr—the celebration after Ramadan—with their families. 

For many, fasting can invite irrational consumption behavior to ‘revenge eat’ in a misguided attempt to recover the energy lost during the day.  However, the essence of reflection and restraint of Ramadan can also create the perfect momentum to raise awareness on these harmful trends. As awareness grows, communities are trying to realign the spirit of the month with sustainable living and responsible consumption. 

Growing Initiatives towards Green Ramadan

Communities in many countries around the world are now encouraging more environmentally responsible practices during Ramadan, dubbed Green Ramadan. Among the efforts is reducing  plastic waste and single-use packaging usage during communal events. 

In the United Kingdom, the Plastic Free Ramadan initiative aims to encourage mosques and communities to reduce single-use plastics during communal meals through investing in dishwashers and installing water refilling stations, among others. In Indonesia, university students in Yogyakarta launched a campaign to support greener practices, including distributing reusable tumblers to major mosques across the city and promoting zero-waste movements during gatherings. 

The issue of food waste is also being addressed in Green Ramadan. In Kuantan, Malaysia, food waste from Ramadan bazaars is recycled using composting machines, then shared with local community gardens. Malaysia’s “MySaveFood” program, on the other hand, collects unsold food from Ramadan bazaars and redistribute them to those in need. Meanwhile, some communities in the United Arab Emirates place fridges outside their houses to allow neighbors or businesses to drop off food surplus for people in need. 

Lastly, Green Ramadan also includes efforts toward renewable energy. In Abu Dhabi, Masdar City uses 1,000 square meters of solar panels for its very first net-zero mosque, covering 100% of its power needs. Some initiatives also encourage communities to practice energy fasting, like batch cooking, to maximize efficiency.

Sustainability for Festivities

The growing trend of Green Ramadan signals the emergence of awareness and communal values of reducing environmental harm. As such, global events and special days could be organized in a more responsible manner. 

This transformation is as much a lifestyle change as it is systemic changes. Systemically, governments must strengthen waste management systems and promote responsible and sustainable practices to the public during special days or holiday seasons. Communities and local institutions should incorporate environmental awareness and repeat the urgency of collective action to address it. 

All in all, minimizing excessive consumption, reducing waste, and using resources responsibly during festivities show that sustainability can complement traditions without conflict and lead to a better planet for all.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma & Kresentia Madina

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