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Reduction Initiatives" class="p-hero__figure-image" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /> </picture> </figure> </div> <div class="container"> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_0_cf_heading_txt">Towards Zero Plastic Waste</h2> <div class="c-text"><p>The Ajinomoto Group leverages the superior properties of plastics while addressing environmental issues through measures such as reducing usage, switching to recyclable materials, and establishing systems for collection, sorting, and recycling.</p> </div> <div class="p-box p-box-border "> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_2_cf_flx_comp_cf_block_0_cf_heading_txt">Table of Contents</h2> <ol class="p-list--counter" style="counter-reset:number 0"> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="#cf_block_3_cf_heading_txt" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">Three Negative Environmental Impacts of Plastic</a> </li> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="#cf_block_10_cf_heading_txt" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">The Ajinomoto Group's Initiatives</a> </li> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="#cf_block_15_cf_heading_txt" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">Participating Organizations</a> </li> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="#cf_block_18_cf_heading_txt" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">FAQ</a> </li> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="#anc_rl" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">Related Links</a> </li> </ol> </div> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_3_cf_heading_txt">Three Negative Environmental Impacts of Plastic</h2> <div class="section"> <div class="p-txtblck not-wrap"> <figure class="p-txtblck__fig p-txtblck__fig--left fig--col-6"> <img class="p-txtblck__fig__img" src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_icon_01.png" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-txtblck__body"> <p class="c-heading-03">1. Global Warming</p> <div class="c-text"><p>The manufacturing process of plastics and their incineration as waste emit large amounts of greenhouse gases, raising concerns about their impact on climate change.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-txtblck not-wrap"> <figure class="p-txtblck__fig p-txtblck__fig--left fig--col-6"> <img class="p-txtblck__fig__img" src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_icon_02.png" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-txtblck__body"> <p class="c-heading-03">2. Resource Depletion</p> <div class="c-text"><p>The fossil fuels used as raw materials for plastics are limited resources. As production increases, the risk of resource depletion also rises.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="p-txtblck not-wrap"> <figure class="p-txtblck__fig p-txtblck__fig--left fig--col-6"> <img class="p-txtblck__fig__img" src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_icon_03.png" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-txtblck__body"> <p class="c-heading-03">3. Marine Pollution</p> <div class="c-text"><p>Plastic waste that leaks into the natural environment can take hundreds of years to decompose. This not only poses a risk of ingestion by wildlife but also leads to the formation of microplastics that enter the food chain negatively impacting ecosystems.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="u-clearfix"><div class="pwrlp__arrow"></div></div><div class="p-box p-box-bgc"> <div class="c-text"><p style="text-align: center;">Reducing usage and collecting and recycling plastics are part of the solution.</p> </div> </div> <h3 class="c-heading-03" id="cf_block_7_cf_heading_txt">The Ajinomoto Group set a goal to reduce plastic waste to zero by 2030. This means that we intend to eliminate all plastics released to the environment that are not used effectively.</h3> <div class="row"> <div class="col-24 "> <div class="c-media-block"> <figure class="c-media-block__figure " role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_aim_img.png" width="1288" height="441" alt="" loading="lazy" /> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="c-text"><div> <div>Plastic is often viewed negatively. However, it is actually an essential material for maintaining food quality and safety. Whether we make plastic a villain or a resource is up to us.</div> <div>By preventing it from leaking into the environment and recycling it properly, we can effectively utilize it as a resource.</div> <div>The Ajinomoto Group aims to balance economic activities and environmental conservation by building a resource circulation system that includes reducing usage, switching to recyclable materials, and implementing recycling systems.</div> </div> </div> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_10_cf_heading_txt">The Ajinomoto Group's Initiatives</h2> <div class="row"> <div class="col-24 col-12-md"> <div class="p-card"> <figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/pwrlp_initaiatives_img01.jpg" width="644" height="305" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-card__body"> <div class="c-text"> <p class="p-card__title c-link--none">Initiatives to Reduce Plastic Usage</p> <p><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/stories/localized-approaches-to-reducing-plastic-are-moving-the-ajinomoto-group-toward-zero-waste-by-2030">Localized approaches to reducing plastic are moving the Ajinomoto Group toward zero waste by 2030 | Stories | Ajinomoto Group Global Website – Eat Well, Live Well.</a></p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="col-24 col-12-md"> <div class="p-card"> <figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/pwrlp_initaiatives_img02-2.jpg" width="644" height="305" alt="Amount converted to recyclable materials　Approximately 1300 tons per year Compared to fiscal 2020"> </figure> <div class="p-card__body"> <div class="c-text"> <p class="p-card__title c-link--none">Recycling Innovations</p> <p>Efforts to Increase the Recycling Rate of Pure Select® Mayonnaise Containers</p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div> <h3 class="c-heading-03" id="cf_block_12_cf_heading_txt">Social Initiatives</h3> <div class="row"> <div class="col-24 col-8-md"> <div class="p-card"> <figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/b12c8b7e401505670006e9aa6ee0e2d0.jpg" width="644" height="305" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-card__body"> <div class="c-text"> <p><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/stories/the-road-to-zero-plastic-waste-ajinomoto-indonesia-succeeds-through-private-public-partnership">The road to zero plastic waste: Ajinomoto Indonesia succeeds through private-public partnership</a></p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="col-24 col-8-md"> <div class="p-card"> <figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/sustainability_society_12_img_main.jpg" width="644" height="305" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-card__body"> <div class="c-text"> <p><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/sustainability/society/12/">Philippines: Efforts to Reduce Plastic Waste</a></p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>  <div class="col-24 col-8-md"> <div class="p-card"> <figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/sustainability_society_02_main.jpg" width="644" height="305" alt=""> </figure> <div class="p-card__body"> <div class="c-text"> <p><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/sustainability/society/02/">Initiatives to Reduce Marine Plastics (Indonesia)</a></p> </div> </div>  </div>  </div>  </div> <div class="p-box p-box-bgc"> <h3 class="c-heading-03" id="cf_block_14_cf_flx_comp_cf_block_0_cf_heading_txt">Switching to Paper Packaging</h3> <ul class="p-list--circle" > <li class="p-list__item"><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/stories/aji-no-moto-paper-packaging-a-modern-take-on-an-old-idea-aims-to-reduce-plastic-waste" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">Reducing Plastic Waste by Approximately 12 Tons Annually with AJI-NO-MOTO® and Umami Dashi Hi-Me®</a> </li> <li class="p-list__item"><a href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/stories/hondashi-paper-packaging-reducing-plastic-waste-and-adding-fun" target="_self" rel="" class="c-link--none">Reducing Plastic Usage by Approximately 32 Tons Annually with HON-DASHI® Stick Products</a> </li> </ul> </div> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_15_cf_heading_txt">Participating Organizations</h2> <div class="c-text"><p>The Ajinomoto Group contributes to the realization of a circular society by participating in organizations that lead environmental initiatives.</p> </div> <div class="u-clearfix"><a href="https://cloma.net/english/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-24 u-dp--pc"> <div class="c-media-block"> <figure class="c-media-block__figure " role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_bnr.png" width="1288" height="200" alt="CLOMA　Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance　READ MORE" loading="lazy"> </figure> </div> </div> <div class="col-24 u-dp--sp"> <div class="c-media-block"> <figure class="c-media-block__figure " role="group"> <img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/png/pwrlp_bnr_sp.png" width="347" height="100" alt="CLOMA　Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance　READ MORE" loading="lazy"> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </a> </div> <h2 class="c-heading-02" id="cf_block_18_cf_heading_txt">FAQ</h2> <div class="p-box p-box-bgc"> <ul class="p-accordion"> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How much plastic waste exists in the world?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>With the increase in plastic production, the amount of plastic waste has also risen. As of 2020, it is estimated that 6.3 billion tons of plastic have been discarded as waste. If this trend continues, it is predicted that by 2050, 25 billion tons of plastic waste will be generated, and more than 12 billion tons of plastic will be landfilled or dumped into the environment.</p> <p>Source: Ministry of the Environment, Japan<br /> <a href="https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">Why do we use plastic in packaging?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Packaging plays a crucial role in protecting food and maintaining the quality and safety of products. Plastic is an ideal packaging material because it is inexpensive, lightweight, easily moldable, and can enhance product preservation, quality, and safety.</p> <p>The Ajinomoto Group leverages these characteristics of plastic in our packaging to ensure the quality and safety of our products while using the minimal necessary amount of plastic. Additionally, we design our plastic packaging to be easily recyclable and aim to support the collection and recycling of plastic after use.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How is the world addressing the plastic waste problem?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>In Europe, the European Commission announced the Plastic Strategy in January 2018. This strategy aims to make all plastic packaging reusable or recyclable in a cost-effective manner by 2030, promote the use of recycled materials by companies, and reduce single-use plastics. Additionally, in March 2019, the European Parliament approved a regulation to ban single-use plastic products such as cutlery by 2021.</p> <p>In Asia, in July 2017, the Chinese government announced the Implementation Plan for Reforming the Management of Solid Waste Imports. This plan indicated that by the end of 2017, the import of plastic waste from households would be banned, and by the end of 2019, the import of solid waste that can be replaced by domestic resources would be gradually stopped. As a result, the export volume to Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia increased significantly in a short period, leading some of these countries to restrict plastic waste imports due to the accumulation of plastic waste within their territories.</p> <p>At the United Nations Environment Assembly held from February to March 2022, a resolution was adopted to establish an intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an internationally legally binding treaty on plastic pollution in the marine environment.</p> <p>In April 2023, Japan, as the chair country, hosted the G7 Sapporo Climate, Energy, and Environment Ministers’ Meeting. During this meeting, the G7 committed to ending plastic pollution and set an ambitious goal to achieve zero additional plastic pollution by 2040.</p> <p>Source: Ministry of the Environment, Japan<br /> <a href="https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How can we address the plastic waste problem in our daily lives?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>It is important to reduce the use of disposable plastic products, choose recyclable products, and use reusable items. Additionally, by being aware that waste can become a resource through sorting, it is beneficial to follow local sorting rules and properly clean and sort waste. Participating in local clean-up activities and adopting an environmentally responsible lifestyle are also effective measures.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What is the extent of the damage caused by plastic waste to wildlife and the environment?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Regarding the impact on wildlife, plastic has been found in the stomachs of dead seabirds and fish worldwide. Additionally, discarded fishing gear such as nets and traps can harm marine life. It has even been estimated that by 2050, the weight of plastic waste in the oceans will exceed the weight of fish.</p> <p>While the specific environmental impact is not yet clear, it seems that microplastics, which can contain harmful substances, may enter the food chain and potentially affect ecosystems.</p> <p>Source: Ministry of the Environment, Japan<br /> <a href="https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.env.go.jp/policy/hakusyo/r02/html/hj20010103.html</a></p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What is the current state of global warming?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>According to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the average global temperature has risen by 1.09 degrees Celsius from the pre-industrial era to the present. This rate of increase is unprecedented in human history.</p> <p>Source: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan Meteorological Agency<br /> <a href="https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20230531-mxt_kankyou-100000543_9.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.mext.go.jp/content/20230531-mxt_kankyou-100000543_9.pdf</a></p> </div> </div> </li></ul></div> <div class="p-box p-box-bgc"> <ul class="p-accordion"> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How much plastic is used in the Ajinomoto Group packaging?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>The Ajinomoto Group uses approximately 68,000 tons of plastic annually in its packaging (as of fiscal 2024).</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How are we reducing plastic usage?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>We employ various measures such as compacting packaging materials and trays, reducing the thickness of containers while maintaining their strength, reducing secondary packaging that wraps and bundles pre-packaged items, and switching to paper packaging materials. As a result, in the fiscal year 2024, we reduced plastic usage by approximately 600 tons per year.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">How are we supporting the creation of plastic recycling systems?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Addressing the plastic waste problem requires collaboration among industry, government, and the public. The Ajinomoto Group is strengthening cross-industry cooperation within Japan by participating as a founding member of the Clean Ocean Material Alliance platform, which aims to promote innovation. Additionally, we are working to engage with various platforms in other countries and regions to contribute to the creation of plastic recycling systems. For example, in Indonesia, we are collaborating with the city of Surabaya and startup companies to tackle plastic collection.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What is it about plastics that make them difficult to recycle?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>We are collaborating with packaging manufacturers to develop recyclable plastic packaging that can maintain product quality and safety. Additionally, we are exploring the use of non-plastic packaging materials and various means of preserving product quality more effectively.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">Is switching plastic packaging to paper really environmentally responsible?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>The raw material for plastic is fossil fuel, a limited resource. On the other hand, the raw material for paper is wood, a renewable resource managed through forestry. Wood absorbs carbon dioxide during its growth process, helping reduce one of the causes of global warming.</p> <p>Additionally, paper is easier to recycle compared to many other packaging materials, and the energy required for its production and recycling is often relatively low. When paper enters the natural environment, unlike plastic that causes environmental issues such as marine pollution, it decomposes relatively quickly. Therefore, generally speaking, paper packaging is considered environmentally responsible.</p> <p>Of course, the use of paper can also have a significant environmental impact. We’re considering environmental impacts throughout the entire product life cycle when exploring packaging replacements.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What were the challenges in developing paper packaging?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Compared to plastic, paper has the following weaknesses:</p> <p>It is vulnerable to applied force, making it prone to tearing and puncturing.<br /> It wrinkles easily.<br /> It is difficult to tear straight by hand when opening.<br /> It is not well-suited to existing equipment designed for plastic.</p> <p>Overcoming these vulnerabilities to achieve the same quality as plastic has been particularly challenging. We collaborated with packaging suppliers and packaging factories to design packaging materials implementing various innovations from multiple perspectives.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What is monomaterial,—a packaging material that is easy to recycle?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Typical film packaging is composed of multiple materials (multimaterial), each with its own role. Replacing this with packaging made from a single material (monomaterial) makes it easier to recycle because there is no need to separate the various materials.</p> <p>However, some barrier materials that do not hinder recycling are used in combination with monomaterials. Developing monomaterial packaging with barrier properties requires innovation, but efforts are being made to achieve more ideal recycling.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">What are the steps to develop recyclable plastic packaging?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>The Ajinomoto Group favors monomaterials or paper as recyclable packaging materials. The choice among such options depends on the characteristics of the product and the properties of the packaging materials required.</p> <p>When developing monomaterial packaging using plastic, we first look for materials that ensure sufficient strength and gas barrier properties (resistance to oxygen and water vapor) to maintain the protective function of the packaging. Next, we evaluate whether the packaging is easy to open and use, and whether it can be stably produced in packaging factories. These features are confirmed through actual manufacturing tests.</p> <p>Typical film packaging is composed of multimaterials (composite materials) with each material having its own role, making it difficult to recycle. Achieving the same performance with monomaterials can be very challenging and requires creativity and innovation.</p> </div> </div> </li> <li class="p-accordion__item"> <button class="p-accordion__trigger js-accordion" type="button">Is plastic bad? Is it something that must be eliminated?</button> <div class="p-accordion__body"> <div class="p-accordion__body-in c-text"> <p>Whether we make plastic a villain or a resource is up to us. There can be no doubt that the leakage of plastic waste into the environment, the acceleration of climate change due to plastic incineration, and the loss of biodiversity are critical plastic-related issues that directly threaten the sustainability of our business. However, for the Ajinomoto Group, plastic is also a necessary material for ensuring product safety and quality, and ultimately for reducing food waste. If we prevent plastic from leaking into the environment and recycle it properly, it can continue to be effectively utilized as a resource.</p> <p>The Ajinomoto Group aims to balance economic activities and environmental conservation by building resource circulation systems that include reducing plastic usage, switching to recyclable materials, and implementing recycling systems.</p> </div> </div> </li></ul></div> <div class="u-clearfix"><div id="anc_rl"></div></div> </div>    </main>  <footer class="footer"> <aside class="p-recomend container"><div class="p-recomend__in"><div class="p-recomend__container swiper-container js-slider-recomend"><div class="p-recomend__head"><h2 class="p-recomend__title c-heading-04">Related Links</h2><div class="p-recomend__navi"><div class="p-recomend__arrow p-recomend__arrow--prev swiper-button-prev"></div><div class="p-recomend__arrow p-recomend__arrow--next swiper-button-next"></div></div></div><div class="row p-recomend__wrapper swiper-wrapper"><div class="col-12 col-6-md swiper-slide"><div class="p-card"><a class="p-card__head" href="https://www.ajinomoto.com/sustainability/" target="_self" rel=""><figure class="p-card__figure" role="group"><img src="https://www.ajinomoto.com/cms_wp_ajnmt_global/wp-content/uploads/page/jpg/pwrlp_links_img01.jpg" alt="Sustainability"></figure><p class="p-card__title c-link--none">Along with society | Sustainability | Ajinomoto Group Global Website - 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