Reduction and Reuse of Plastic Emissions
Approach to Reduction and Reuse of Plastic Emissions
The Kewpie Group uses plastics for food containers and packaging. While plastics offer advantages such as being light and hard to break, it has been pointed out that plastics have an impact on the global environment, including in relation to marine plastic waste. The Group recognizes that the release of plastic waste is a serious issue that has a significant impact on ecosystems and the environment, and is working to reduce its use of petroleum-derived plastics.
Main Initiatives to be Pursued Going Forward
- Further reduction in the plastic used in product containers and packaging, and factories
- Easy to separate product design
- Proactive introduction of recycled plastics and biomass plastics
- Proactive participation in material collection and recycle to achieve circular economy
Weight reduction of mayonnaise containers
Weight reduction of dressing containers
Use recycled plastic in outer packaging
New bottle that contains recycled plastic
Basic Policy on Container and Packaging Selection
- It must be suitable for use as a food container
- It must not generate environmental pollutants
- Strive to achieve conservation of resources and energy and eliminate multi-layered packaging
- Improve and promote recyclability of containers and packaging
- Strive to establish environmentally-friendly packaging technologies
Plastic Reduction in Container and Packaging Design
Product containers and packaging are essential to maintaining the quality of the product and preserving its good taste, but their production consumes energy and they turn into waste after use. The Kewpie Group remains committed to simplifying and reducing the weight of containers and packaging.
Creating Lighter, Simpler Packaging
380ml Kewpie dressing bottle
We released a new bottle that is more lightweight while maintaining its original shape and durability*. As a result, the use of plastic has been reduced.
*Started in April 2019
Kewpie Baby Snack Tamago Tappuri Boro (Round Biscuits with Plenty of Egg)
We released a new package that uses around 25% less plastic* for the inner and outer packaging.
*Started in March 2021
Kewpie "Smile Cup" Series "Yasashii Kondate" Cup Type
We released a new package without the outer lid, which the product used to have on its top. Doing so reduces the amount of plastic used by 10%*.
*Started in March 2021
Products that use lightweight trays (in some instances)
Salad Club Packaged Salad Tray
The Salad Club, Inc. tray used for packaged salads has been made approximately 10% lighter* compared with conventional products, resulting in a reduction of approximately 40 tons of plastic annually.
*Started in January 2022
Products that use modified film standards (in some instances)
Salad Club Packaged Salad Film
We have changed the standards for the Salad Club, Inc. film used for packaged salads by reducing its dimensions and making it thinner*. This will result in a reduction of approximately 44.2 tons of plastic usage per year.
*Started in February 2022
Using Packaging With a Lower Environmental Impact
Kewpie Dressing Stick-type
We released a new package that uses approximately 15% recycled plastic* for the outer packaging. As a result, we were able to reduce petroleum-derived materials and reduce CO2 emissions.
*Plastic that was recycled using a method called mechanical recycling (physical recycling), whereby mainly soft drink PET bottles are collected, crushed, cleaned and then processed for a certain amount of time under high temperatures to remove contaminants and ensure high quality.
Started in February 2020
Kewpie Tasty Dressings
We released a new bottle that contains recycled plastic*, taking steps to further reduce environmental burdens.
*Plastic that was recycled using a method called mechanical recycling (physical recycling), whereby mainly soft drink PET bottles are collected, crushed, cleaned and then processed for a certain amount of time under high temperatures to remove contaminants and ensure high quality.
Started in June 2021
"Salad Club Ingredients Pouch" Series
As part of our environmental initiatives, we renewed 12 out of all 19 pouches to use plant-based plastic* as part of their packaging material. Changing the material of the pouches led to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 18 tonnes a year.
*Plant-based plastic: Biomass plastic that uses renewable organic resources (vegetable byproducts of sugarcane) as raw material.
Started in August 2022
Reducing Plastic in Manufacturing and Distribution
In addition to reducing the amount of plastic in product containers and packaging, the Kewpie Group is working to reduce plastic at every stage of its operations, from procurement to manufacturing, distribution, and consumption.
Recycling of Product Distribution Containers
Left: Recycled product Right: Existing product
Plastic Containers for Liquid Eggs
Kewpie Egg Corporation is engaged in an initiative* to recycle plastic containers for liquid eggs and other egg products and to use recycled products. The recycling of plastic containers that were previously disposed of has led to a reduction in plastic waste.
*Started in 2020