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Environment
We are committed to protecting the global environment not only through the eco renewable business but also by reducing plastic waste and food waste to tackle issues, such as establishing a sound material-cycle society, lowering environmental impacts, and supplying renewable energy.
Establishment of Sound Material-cycle Society
As a company placing food at the core of its business, we are also working to address the issues of plastic waste and reduce food loss.
Reducing Food Loss
Aiming to reduce food waste, since 2018, we are donating to food banks our products that have no quality problems but cannot be distributed in the general market due to poor printing or other reasons. The products are delivered free of charge through the food banks to charities and organizations that support those in need, including children, persons with disabilities, single parent families, the elderly and the homeless.
Reduction in Environmental Impacts
We are trying to reduce plastic waste by distributing reusable bags.
Distributing free eco-bags to reduce plastic bags
*As of January 31, 2023
We created Gyomu Super’s original eco-bags (reusable bags) in response to global warming and the plastic waste problem. Since around 2003, we have distributed more than 13 million bags for free mainly when a new Gyomu Super store opens.
Reduction in Specified Plastic Items
We work to reduce specified plastic items (such as plastic spoons and forks) provided free of charge at Gyomu Super stores, Chisouna stores, and Kobe Cook World Buffet restaurants. Our target is to reduce total annual consumption from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026 by 15% of the total annual consumption from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023, three years earlier.*
*This target level is calculated based on the target calculation method on the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry website.
Kobe Bussan Group's approaches
■We are swithching to items that use less plastic.
･Dessert spoons: reduce plastic by 19% from the existing items (introduced from November 2023)
･Spoons: reduce plastic by 10.4% from the existing items (introduced from December 2024)
･Forks: reduce plastic by 10.4% from the existing items (introduced from December 2024)
*The timing of the change is different depending on store.
■We encourage customers to reuse plastic cutlery through in-store posters.
■Some stores have stopped the distribution to reduce plastic use.
■We try to provide cutlery only if we receive a request from customers who buy packed lunches and other prepared foods.
Note: The above approaches may vary depending on stores.
The images are for illustrative purposes only.
Natural Refrigerant Freezing Equipment
Considering the environment, we have been using natural refrigerant freezing equipment at our own logistics center in Kansai for over 10 years. Going forward, all of major equipment will be replaced with natural refrigerant freezing systems. We reduce power consumption and CO2 emissions by installing an indirect freezing machine that prevents ozone layer depletion and cools CO2 using ammonia as a natural refrigerant with low global warming impact.
We will guide those who would like to observe this equipment.
Supply of Renewable Energy
We operate solar power plants and a woody biomass power plant that uses timber from forest thinning.
*As of October 31, 2023
We are engaged in solar power generation and woody biomass power generation that uses woody biomass from forest thinning as fuel. Our solar power generation business generates approximately 81.0 MW at 19 power plants nationwide, while the woody biomass business generates approximately 6.2 MW in Shiranuka-cho, Shiranuka-gun, Hokkaido. We continue to aim for maintaining the stable energy supply through the power generation business using renewable energy.
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