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 Kewpie Group recognizes that plastic waste is a material theme that has a significant impact on ecosystems and the environment, and is implementing initiatives to reduce the use of virgin petroleum-derived plastics and to encourage resource recycling.
Kewpie Group Plastics Policy
In 2019, the Kewpie Group formulated the Kewpie Group Plastics Policy and is accelerating efforts to reduce plastics used in business activities aiming to create a circular economy.
*Updated in 2022
Kewpie Group Plastics Policy
We will help realize a sustainable circular economy by implementing 3R+Renewable.
- We consider reducing environmental impact in design from the development stage.
- We cooperate and promote this throughout the value chain.
Main Initiatives to be Pursued Going Forward
- Further reductions in the amount of plastics used, mainly through container weight reduction
- Introduction of recycled plastics and biomass plastics
- Container and packaging design for easy sorting
- Joining industry initiatives to promote the recovery and recycling of plastics
Weight reduction of mayonnaise containers
Weight reduction of dressing containers
Use recycled plastic in outer packaging
New bottle that contains recycled plastic
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
| When Started | Target | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2022 | Soft Rice Crackers with Vegetables, Kewpie Baby Snacks series |
Reduced amount of plastics used by 35% by changing materials used for outer packaging, individual packaging, and trays. Also, ease of recycling considered by changing to a single material |
| Feb 2022 | Salad Club - package film | Changed standards for films used for packaged salads (making thinner and smaller in size) |
| Jan 2022 | Salad Club - packaged salad trays | Weight of packaged salad trays reduced about 10% compared to conventional products |
| Mar 2021 | Kewpie Smile Cup baby food series, Yasashii Kondate nursing care foods series | Reduced amount of plastics by eliminating outer lid on top |
| Mar 2021 | Tamago Tappuri Boro (round biscuits with plenty of egg), Kewpie Baby Snacks series |
Reduced amount of plastics used by about 25% by changing inner and outer packaging |
| Apr 2019 | 380-ml Kewpie dressing | Reduced weight of bottle material used without reducing strength or changing shape profile |
Using Packaging With a Lower Environmental Impact
| When Started | Target | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2022 | Verde Toast Spread series | Reduced plastic use by about 10.9% by making laminated tubes in containers thinner |
| Jun 2021 | Kewpie Tasty Dressing | Uses containers that include recycled plastics*
* Plastics recycled by mechanical (physical) recycling, a method of recycling plastic bottles mainly used for soft drinks, after being crushed, washed, and treated at high temperatures for a certain period of time to remove contaminants. |
| Aug 2020 | Salad Club Sozai Pouch (ingredients pouch) series | Pouches made with plant-derived plastics* are used in 12 of total 19 products
* Plant-derived plastics: Biomass plastics made from renewable organic resources (sugarcane byproducts, etc.) |
| Feb 2020 | Kewpie Dressing (stick type) | Uses about 15% recycled plastic in outer packaging |
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