The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is building on its established environmental practices to support Sarawak’s first Zero Food Waste to Landfill pilot during the 51stIUPAC World Polymer Congress (MACRO 2026). The Zero Food Waste to Landfill initiative is by The Pledge on Food Waste for Events, a trademarked third-party certification helping conferences reduce food waste and divert it from landfill.  Led by Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) in collaboration with the Malaysian Institute of Chemistry (Institut Kimia Malaysia) and Conference Partners Asia, the pilot introduces more detailed food waste prevention, event-level measurement and independent assessment during the international congress.

As the congress venue for MACRO 2026, held from 28 to 31 July 2026, with more than 800 delegates from around the world, BCCK is implementing the pilot through food production planning, portion management, responsible ingredient utilisation, waste segregation, recovery and operational documentation.

While food waste composting and resource recovery are already part of BCCK’s environmental management practices, the MACRO 2026 pilot strengthens these efforts through event-specific monitoring, measurable data collection and independent assessment.

The pilot builds on BCCK’s ISO 14001:2015 environmental management system, which incorporates initiatives such as food waste composting, recycling, used cooking oil recovery and resource efficiency to reduce the Centre’s environmental impact.

Between 2022 and 2025, BCCK recorded the recycling or recovery of 44,988 kg of materials, comprising 5,063 kg of mixed paper, 3,713 kg of scrap iron, 16,131 kg of used cooking oil, 19,884 kg of food waste and 197 kg of e-waste.

For MACRO 2026, BCCK’s culinary and banquet teams are using delegate attendance and dining patterns to guide menu planning and food production. Ingredients are also managed carefully to minimise unnecessary waste while maintaining food quality, safety and the overall delegate experience.

Unavoidable food waste generated at BCCK during the congress is segregated and transported to Satoyama Farm, where it is repurposed into compost and other agricultural applications. The processes and operational data gathered during the congress will be documented and independently assessed under The Pledge on Food Waste Certification, providing a measurable framework for food waste prevention and diversion.

David Bareng, Chief Operating Officer of BCCK, said the pilot allows the Centre to strengthen and better measure practices already in place.

“Food waste composting, recycling and resource recovery are already part of BCCK’s environmental management system. This pilot allows us to build on that foundation through event-specific measurement and closer collaboration with BESarawak, the organiser and event partners.”

Jason Tan Chin Foo, CEO of BESarawak, said the pilot demonstrates how collaboration can advance sustainability across the business events industry.

“Sarawak has long championed business events that make a real difference. This pilot demonstrates how venues, event organisers and industry partners can work together to turn sustainability from an aspiration into an operational standard for business events. The outcome is a practical model that others can adapt, helping to create a more sustainable and responsible business events industry.”

Datuk ChM Dr Soon Ting Kueh, President of Institut Kimia Malaysia and Advisor for MACRO 2026, said responsible practices should complement scientific progress.

“Through this collaboration, MACRO 2026 contributes not only through scientific knowledge exchange but also by demonstrating how sustainability can be incorporated into the delivery of an international congress.”

BCCK’s culinary team, led by Executive Sous Chef Eric Lim, is working closely with the Centre’s banquet and Quality Assurance teams to manage food production, monitor waste and maintain the documentation required for the independent assessment.

The experience and data gathered from MACRO 2026 will help BCCK identify further areas for improvement and develop clearer processes that can be applied to future conferences and events

————-

About Borneo Convention Centre Kuching

The Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) is Sarawak’s first purpose built international convention centre and a key venue for business events in Kuching. Since opening in 2009, BCCK has hosted a wide range of local, national and international conferences, exhibitions, corporate events and public functions.

With the expansion of the BCCK precinct currently underway, the Centre is preparing to offer greater capacity, flexibility and connectivity to support larger and more complex events. BCCK remains committed to strengthening Sarawak’s position as a competitive destination for international business events.

Awards Received   

  • AIPC – Gold Quality Standard  
  • Anak Sarawak Business Events Award – Meeting Venue Excellence Award 2023.
  • Malaysia Business Events Award – Purpose-Built Convention & Exhibition Centre Excellence Award – Total Saleable Space 15,000 sqm & below (2023 & 2025) 
  • Malaysia Business Events Award – Consumer Exhibition with a minimum gross space of 2,000 sqm – 
  • Malaysia Business Events Award – New Homegrown Event Excellence Award – Congress/Convention with a minimum of 200 delegates.
  • Gold Award under MICE Category – Malaysia Tourism Quality Assurance (MyTQA) programme from Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC).