McDonald’s Japan to begin providing wood utensils and paper straws nationwide
With the growing concern over plastic waste, many Japanese food and restaurant chains are stepping up to the plate with efforts to reduce plastics. For…
plastic waste
Eat your bento and your bento box too with these next-level onigiri rice balls
Even if you have only a mild interest in Japan, chances are you’ve heard of 弁当 bentō. These single-serving packed meals with their (often) neatly…
Japanese convenience store FamilyMart makes its sandwiches better inside and out
Tasty Japanese sandwiches If you’ve ever been to Japan, you’ve probably seen them: tasty-looking sandwiches made with fluffy white shokupan milk bread, usually on the…
Japan’s new quick hardening powder turns your leftover noodle broth into a solid
Many of us like to savor our instant noodles right down to the last drop of soup and seasoning, but those who are counting their…
Japanese chemical & cosmetics brand Kao hopes to curb plastic use with sell-by-weight stations
Overview For a limited time, Japanese chemical and cosmetics giant Kao Corporation will install sell-by-weight stations at two Welcia Pharmacy stores to sell laundry detergents…
Ramen fans surprised by the cute critters now hiding in their Cup Noodle
Earlier this year, in an effort to address an estimated 33 tons of plastic waste their company produced per year, instant ramen giant Cup Noodle…
Paper sugar packs for iced drinks to reduce waste in Japan, where plastic syrup packs are the norm
If you haven’t visited Japan before, you may wonder how sugar in paper packs could possibly be presented as a new idea, let alone a…
Hello Kitty interviews Japanese marine-earth science R&D agency on plastic waste problem
Today, on World Oceans Day (June 8th), Hello Kitty released a video on her official YouTube channel, HELLO KITTY CHANNEL, of her online interview with…
easigrass is Japan’s first 100% recyclable artificial turf product
Beginning on June 25th, 2021, BOOTROOM Corporation will begin offering sustainable artificial grass that is friendly to nature and the environment, the first such product…
Japanese brand releases world’s first bucket hat made from recycled umbrellas
If you’ve ever spent time in Japan on a rainy day, you’ve likely seen the clear vinyl and plastic umbrellas that are commonly used. While…
Tokyo health food restaurant begins “my bowl” service for salad bad
Along with highly encouraged use of eco-friendly “my bags”, in recent years Japanese shops and restaurants have begun to shift toward reusable items in efforts…
As Japan works to limit plastic, one customer gets an embarrassing surprise checking out
Although everyone’s thoughts have been on the ongoing pandemic and forthcoming vaccine of late, Japan has silently made progress on another front. While it’s true…
Edible plates provide a delicious way to limit plastic waste
We live in a disposable world. Eager consumers lineup outside of Apple stores as the iPhone supercycle accelerates, and marine life is awash with the…
Paper-packed Ocean Salt Kit Kats let you fold origami sea animals and fight plastic waste
Switching to paper packaging Since 2019, Nestlé has been tackling the problem of marine plastic waste, replacing its plastic packaging with a more environment-conscious paper…
Discarded plastic umbrellas are reborn as fashionable bags and accessories by sustainable brand PLASTICITY
The clear plastic umbrella: from trend to trash When Beat Takeshi appeared with a plastic umbrella in the seminal film Battle Royale (2000), many audience…