Kuradashi Selected for Environmental Ministry's Food Waste Reduction Initiative

Kuradashi's Role in Reducing Food Waste

Kuradashi, a Tokyo-based company known for its social good marketplace, has recently been selected for the Environmental Ministry of Japan's supplementary budget project aimed at reducing household food waste. This initiative is designed to significantly address food waste originating from households, a pressing concern under the Food Waste Reduction Promotion Act.

What is the Initiative?

The project, formally known as the "Model Project for Promoting Household Food Waste Reduction through Consumer Behavior Changes," seeks to support pioneering actions by local governments and businesses. Its main goal is to facilitate rapid reductions in food waste at home, while also disseminating the results widely to inspire further collective action.

Kuradashi's Proposal

Kuradashi has always prioritized its mission of being a social good company with a vision to become the leader in food waste reduction in Japan. The company has developed a business model that continuously strives to resolve social issues by addressing food waste effectively. Kuradashi buys products that are still good to eat but are often cast aside due to nearing expiration dates, cosmetic damages, or disasters that disrupt traditional sales channels. These products are then sold on their social good marketplace, where part of the revenue goes to various social contribution activities.

Recently, Kuradashi was selected to implement a project called "Usage Challenge - Reducing Household Food Waste through EC and Recipe Collaboration." This initiative emphasizes collaboration with the recipe app "Uchirepi," operated by Sapporo Holdings, which aims to provide consumers with optimal recipes that utilize surplus foods or ingredients frequently wasted in households.

The Usage Challenge

Through the "Usage Challenge," Kuradashi will disseminate recipes to help consumers use up their groceries effectively. This process includes tracking changes in household food waste before and after the recipe distribution, examining shifts in consumer behavior related to food waste. Each recipe will be designed to maximize the unique characteristics of the featured products, incorporating cooking methods and storage tips that encourage actual reductions in food waste.

In addition to raising consumer awareness about food waste, the initiative aims to enhance overall food management and cooking habits in households, thereby curbing waste at the source.

Collaborative Efforts with Uchirepi

The Uchirepi application, operated by Sapporo Holdings, features around 20,000 curated recipes from approximately 60 food manufacturers. It also includes a unique "Meal Talk" function that allows families to share meal preparation experiences and memories, creating a communal space for enjoyable cooking experiences. With this approach, Uchirepi aims to transform meal preparation into a fun family activity that contributes positively to daily life.

Uchirepi URL

About Sapporo Holdings

Founded in September 1949, Sapporo Holdings is based in Shibuya, Tokyo. They are dedicated to creating high-quality food products, partnering with numerous brands to advance culinary experiences.

Sapporo Holdings URL

Kuradashi's Social Good Marketplace

The Kuradashi marketplace is not just a shopping venue but a platform where enjoyable purchases can lead to significant social contributions. By offering foods that might still be consumable but are at risk of being discarded, Kuradashi encourages consumers to shop thoughtfully. A portion of profits is directed towards environmental conservation and disaster relief, thereby promoting the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The innovative social good marketplace Kuradashi aims to blend fun shopping experiences with meaningful contributions to society.

Kuradashi URL

About Kuradashi

Established in July 2014, Kuradashi is led by CEO Kohei Kawamura. The company’s headquarters are located in the Meguro Center Building in Tokyo.

Kuradashi Corporate URL

Achievements and Commitment to Sustainability

As of March 2025, Kuradashi has successfully reduced food waste by 28,365 tons, generated an economic impact worth approximately 138 billion yen, and contributed a total of over 163 million yen to various support initiatives. The ongoing commitment to mitigating food waste underlines its efforts with detailed sustainability reports available on its website.

Kuradashi Sustainability Site

By leveraging technology and community engagement, Kuradashi aims to be at the forefront of the fight against food waste, transforming potential waste into opportunities for good within society.