The Blessing of Ramadan and the Waste Dilemma: Managing Consumption in the Holy Month
Ramadan always brings a unique atmosphere not only in Indonesia but also among all Muslims worldwide. On one hand, it is a month of spiritual enhancement and an effort to maintain simplicity. On the other hand, economic data consistently shows a drastic surge in household consumption spending.
This phenomenon creates a paradox: a month that should train self-restraint often results in uncontrolled consumption patterns and ends with waste accumulation far greater than in regular months.
According to data from NielsenIQ (NIQ), household spending in Indonesia during Ramadan 2024 reached 1.2 times higher (an increase of around 20%) compared with regular months. Economists project that the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period contributes approximately 0.25% to 0.3% to annual national economic growth due to the massive circulation of money.
Bank Indonesia (BI) routinely increases the availability of circulating currency. For example, for the Ramadan and Eid 2025 period alone, BI prepared up to Rp 190 trillion to meet public transaction needs.
The Phenomenon of Increased Consumption During Ramadan
The increase in spending during Ramadan is driven by several strong cultural and social factors:
Open-Fasting Gatherings (Bukber) Culture: This tradition encourages the purchase of food in large quantities, often exceeding stomach capacity due to hunger-driven impulses. However, stomach capacity when breaking the fast cannot automatically digest large amounts of food and tends to reach fullness with only small amounts. This causes ordered food to remain uneaten and ultimately be wasted wastefully.
Excessive Food Stockpiling: Fear of price increases approaching Eid encourages many households to engage in panic buying or excessive stockpiling of foodstuffs. BI Consumer Survey data shows a decline in the savings-to-income ratio (from 14.7% to 13.8%) during the holy month. This proves that many households use savings reserves to cover increased consumption costs.
Online Shopping Trends: The ease of ordering food and goods through applications increases packaging volume (plastic and cardboard). E-commerce shopping during Ramadan increases by up to 30%. Interestingly, online shopping activity during Ramadan is now higher than the Harbolnas moment (12.12).
Real Impact: Mountain of Household Waste
This consumption increase is directly proportional to waste volume. According to data from various environmental agencies in major cities, waste volume can increase by 10% to 20% during Ramadan. Types of waste that dominate include:
Food Waste: Takjil (breaking-fast food) that remains uneaten or prepared sahur (pre-dawn meal) dishes that spoil.
Single-Use Plastic Waste: Plastic containers from fasting break snacks, shopping bags, and packaged drink bottles.
Logistics Waste: Cardboard and bubble wrap plastic from Eid preparation shopping packages.
Alternative Solutions: Towards Low-Waste Ramadan
Reducing waste footprint in Ramadan does not mean eliminating the joy of worship, but rather doing so more responsibly. Here are some practical solutions:
- Planned Shopping (Meal Prep)
Create a weekly menu list for sahur and breaking the fast. With careful planning, you will only buy ingredients that are truly needed, thereby minimising the risk of food spoiling in the refrigerator.
- “Take Only as Much as Needed” Concept
When breaking the fast, start with a small portion. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught simplicity in eating. Finishing what is on your plate is the most effective way to reduce food waste.
Begin with a small portion and eat slowly. The brain requires approximately 20 minutes to send a fullness signal. You will stop eating before overindulgence, so there is no leftover food on your plate that ends up in the bin.
- Bringing Your Own Containers When Searching for Takjil
Rather than receiving new plastic bags and styrofoam daily, bring your own cloth shopping bag or food container from home when seeking takjil at the Ramadan market. This good habit can avoid an average of 4-5 plastics per day (wrapper plastic, carry plastic, and straws). If we do this every day, this habit saves approximately 150 sheets of plastic during the month.
- Organic Waste Management (Composting)
If there is still unavoidable leftover food (such as fruit peels or vegetable scraps), prepare one covered bucket for organic waste. By the end of Ramadan, you will have liquid fertiliser or solid compost for plants at home rather than sending methane gas to the landfill. Use a simple composter at home to transform it into plant fertiliser.
Conclusion
Ramadan is the right moment to undertake detoxification, both spiritually and environmentally. By restructuring consumption patterns, we not only protect the sanctity of this month but also preserve the sustainability of the earth by saving the environment from an additional 15-20 kg of waste.
Consumption restraint does not mean stinginess, but rather a form of gratitude for the provision given without leaving a burden on the environment. You can also allocate the savings from successful consumption reduction to zakat or more productive charity during Ramadan.