Sustainability

Development of environmentally friendly products

Refuse

Sales of shochu by measure is a method of selling only the contents without using new containers. Takara Shuzo delivers shochu in dedicated tanks directly from the factory to the retail stores. Customers bring their own empty containers such as PET bottles to the retail store, where the containers are washed. Customers then purchase the desired amount by filling it in their own containers. In this way, we have modernized the traditional method of selling alcoholic beverages known as “sales by measure.” As of April 2024, our products are sold by measure at 92 stores and this has been well received by customers who appreciate the elimination of container waste and the ability to purchase only the amount they want. Please check the list of stores that offer sales by measure and visit the store nearest you.

Sales of shochu by measure store list

Reduce

Reducing the weight of containers can have environmental benefits such as reducing resource consumption during manufacturing and fuel use during product transportation.
　 For this reason, Takara Shuzo has been working on reducing the weight of various containers. In fiscal year 2002, we reduced the weight of Eco Pet bottles for shochu, and in fiscal year 2003, we reduced the weight of the 720 ml returnable bottle of Takara Shochu Jun. Furthermore, in fiscal year 2004, we adopted a super lightweight glass bottle for Takara Organic Hon-Mirin, which is approximately 30% lighter and about 100 g lighter than the conventional one. Since then, we have continued our efforts to reduce the weight of various containers.

Examples of weight reduction

Handle-equipped 4-liter shochu bottle

200 ml bottle cup

Reuse

The use of returnable containers, including 1-sho (1.8-liter) bottles, is an effective way to conserve resources and reduce waste. Takara Shuzo is one of the top users of 1.8 litre bottles in Japan, and is working to reduce its environmental impact by collecting and washing 1.8 litre bottles used for products such as the 1.8 litre bottles for the Shochikubai, Takara Shochu and Takara Hon Mirin, and reusing them.

Recycle

Takara Shuzo developed the first PET bottles in the alcoholic beverage industry that fully comply with the “Voluntary Design Guidelines for Designated PET Bottles,” which were established in 1998 to increase recycling efficiency. Further, to make sorting easier for customers, we have been promoting recycling by adopting removable caps for hon-mirin and cooking sake in 1999, and pouch packs for Sho Chiku Bai Ten in 2011.

The PET bottle is fully compliant with the “Voluntary Design Guidelines for Designated PET Bottles.” Removable cap

Adoption of pouch pack for Sho Chiku Bai Ten

Recycling of sake packs
The recycling of sake pack containers has not progressed significantly due to reasons such as a shortage of collection points and difficulties in recycling. To address this issue, Takara Shuzo participates in the Sake Packing Recycling Promotion Conference, working towards the promotion of sake packaging recycling. As part of these activities, we are participating in a recycling system for sake packs. Under this recycling system, sake breweries in the Fushimi and Nada areas cooperate to efficiently collect and recycle waste material generated during the sake pack production process as raw material for paper manufacturing, taking advantage of the concentration of sake breweries in these area. We also actively strive to use products made by recycling the waste material generated during the production of sake packs.

Recycling of sake packs

The recycling of sake pack containers has not progressed significantly due to reasons such as a shortage of collection points and difficulties in recycling. To address this issue, Takara Shuzo participates in the Sake Packing Recycling Promotion Conference, working towards the promotion of sake packaging recycling. As part of these activities, we are participating in a recycling system for sake packs. Under this recycling system, sake breweries in the Fushimi and Nada areas cooperate to efficiently collect and recycle waste material generated during the sake pack production process as raw material for paper manufacturing, taking advantage of the concentration of sake breweries in these area. We also actively strive to use products made by recycling the waste material generated during the production of sake packs.

Upcycling of wine and champagne corks
Luc Corporation , Ltd. has been cooperating with the used cork collection initiative of Refeer System Japan INC. since its inception.This initiative is part of the non-profit organisation RE Organisation's Circle of Cork initiative.Circle of Cork collects wine and champagne corks that would normally be thrown away as waste in restaurants and hotels, and upcycles them into cork products such as coasters and potsherds, which also provide employment for people with mental or physical disabilities.

Upcycling of wine and champagne corks

Luc Corporation , Ltd. has been cooperating with the used cork collection initiative of Refeer System Japan INC. since its inception.This initiative is part of the non-profit organisation RE Organisation's Circle of Cork initiative.Circle of Cork collects wine and champagne corks that would normally be thrown away as waste in restaurants and hotels, and upcycles them into cork products such as coasters and potsherds, which also provide employment for people with mental or physical disabilities.

Use of certified forest paper, biomass materials, etc.

The Takara Group has set targets for the ‘rate of use of forest certified paper*1 in paper carton products’ and the ‘rate of use of biomass ink in paper and resin labels’ in order to improve the recycling of resources towards the realisation of a sustainable society. The company has set targets and is actively introducing these targets. We are also adopting biomass*2 and renewable raw materials for product containers and labels.

● Use of forest certified paper

Japanese rice wine			shochu (Japanese liquor similar to vodka)		seasoning
Shochikubai"Ten"	Zyousen Shochikubai "Sake pack"	Shochikubai "Subaru"	TakaraShochu "Purepack"	Gokujo Takarashouchu	Takarahonmirin	Takara "Ryourinotameno seisyu"

● Use of biomass feedstock.

・Use of biomass plastics in packaging.

Japanese rice wine		shochu (Japanese liquor similar to vodka)
Shochikubai"Ten"	ZyousenShochikubai "Take"	Takarashochu	GokujoTakarashouchu	Whitetakara "Kazitusyunokisetu"

・Use of biomass ink for labels.

Seasoning
Takarahonmirin "ZeitakuKomekouzi"	Takara "Ryourinotamenoseisyu"

※1 Forest certification schemes are systems for the proper management of forests and the sustainable use and conservation of forest resources.

※2 Biogenic and renewable raw materials such as rice bran.

Use of recycled raw materials
Takara Bio has replaced its cold storage boxes for transporting research reagents with recycled materials made from recycled styrene foam, which is 100% recycled resin from used styrene foam and polystyrene from waste home appliances.This reduces the amount of newly manufactured Styrofoam used by approximately 10 tonnes per year. Takara Bio's sustainability activities In addition, FOODEX group and Cominport group of Takara Shuzo International Group use food trays made from recycled plastic.

Use of recycled raw materials

Takara Bio has replaced its cold storage boxes for transporting research reagents with recycled materials made from recycled styrene foam, which is 100% recycled resin from used styrene foam and polystyrene from waste home appliances.This reduces the amount of newly manufactured Styrofoam used by approximately 10 tonnes per year. Takara Bio's sustainability activities In addition, FOODEX group and Cominport group of Takara Shuzo International Group use food trays made from recycled plastic.