Malaysia produces around 17,000 tonnes of food waste daily; alarmingly, nearly a quarter is still perfectly edible. Among the biggest contributors are bakeries and cafes.
Cakes, pastries, and desserts are often the first to be discarded due to their short shelf life and unpredictable demand, leading to wasted ingredients, energy, and effort for bakeries and cafes alike.
Around the world, countries have taken proactive steps to tackle this problem. In France, supermarkets are penalised for discarding edible food. In Hong Kong, social enterprises like Angel rescue surplus meals using mobile freezers and central kitchens. In Denmark, apps link restaurants with customers eager to buy discounted leftovers. Each approach shares a common goal: transforming waste into worth.
But what about Malaysia?
A Recipe for Change: The Green Hero Movement
That question inspired Green Hero, a Penang-based social enterprise founded by Calvin Chan, who turned his passion for volunteering and environmentalism into a nationwide movement to fight food waste. What began as a college dream to “change the world” has grown into an impactful mission that connects surplus food from businesses with communities in need.
“Our mission is to reduce food waste through two main initiatives. Discount Hour helps food and beverage outlets sell surplus food at lower prices, while Food Rescue collects edible food from businesses, weddings, and catered events to distribute to NGOs for their next meal. We’re deeply grateful to our customers whose word-of-mouth support has helped us grow and continue making a difference,” said Calvin.
Green Hero keeps its community informed and engaged through daily updates on surplus food. The public can easily find available items — from fresh bread to surplus vegetables — on Green Hero’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The team also sends WhatsApp messages with daily listings of food available for sale or donation, making it simple for anyone to act fast, save good food, and support a meaningful cause.
Partnering with Lalamove
When Calvin first reached out to F&B businesses to ask why they didn’t donate their surplus food, their answers were revealing. Many didn’t know who needed their food. Some couldn’t justify the extra cost of staff overtime or petrol for deliveries. Others simply had no one available to collect it. For most, throwing leftovers away seemed like the easiest option.
It became clear that the solution had to be effortless, fast, and cost-effective. Businesses weren’t unwilling to help — they just needed a simple system that saved time and money while ensuring their food reached those in need. That insight led to their partnership with Lalamove.
“Whenever someone contacts Green Hero for a food rescue, we aim to have the food picked up and delivered within an hour. Thanks to our partnership with Lalamove, that goal is consistently met. In most cases, we find a driver within five minutes, who immediately heads to the pickup location,” said Calvin.
“Once collected, the food is sent straight to the designated NGO. This speed matters — the items we rescue, like bread, Hokkien Mee, or economy rice, are perishable and must be consumed quickly. By completing delivery within an hour, NGOs have enough time to serve meals while they’re still fresh.”
The Lalamove app simplifies the process further by providing drivers with clear pickup and drop-off details, ensuring a smooth and efficient journey. This swift turnaround means edible food reaches those who need it most, not the landfill.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to offer the convenience our customers enjoy — from doorstep deliveries during Discount Hour to rapid NGO drop-offs. We’re grateful for their partnership and can’t wait to bring this collaboration to other states soon,” Calvin added.
Green Hero has since expanded to parts of Selangor, with plans to reach Kedah next. Each new location represents another step toward reducing waste and feeding communities more sustainably.
This model not only rescues food but also builds a sustainable ecosystem. As more businesses come on board, Green Hero creates new opportunities for Lalamove drivers while ensuring more food goes to those in need. It’s a simple, scalable, and human solution — one that turns logistics into lasting impact.
Matching Every Meal with Purpose
With 78 food donors and over 50 NGO partners, Green Hero follows a careful process to ensure every rescued meal goes exactly where it’s needed. When a food donor reaches out, the team first gathers essential details — whether the food is halal or non-halal, the size of the donation, its location, and when it will be ready. These questions help determine the best transport option and the most suitable NGO to receive it.
Before confirming any delivery, Green Hero always checks with the selected NGO to ensure they can accept the donation. This step prevents excess food from overwhelming charities, particularly during festive seasons. Once confirmed, a Lalamove driver is dispatched to pick up and deliver the food. By following this simple yet effective process, Green Hero makes sure that every meal rescued is thoughtfully matched and delivered efficiently.
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a café owner, hawker, an NGO in need of food support, or someone who simply wants to make a difference, Green Hero welcomes you to be part of its mission.
You can reach out through https://www.greenhero.net/ or follow their social media pages on Facebook, Instagram to learn how to donate, volunteer, and stay updated on daily surplus food available for sale or donation.
Because every rescued meal counts, and together with partners like Lalamove, we can make sure good food never goes to waste.
This On-Demand Delivery series is a collaboration with Lalamove
