#Japan #Star #F-Pico #Eco-Store #Shinjuku, Shiga

F-PICO and STAR: A Collaborative Commitment to Sustainability

In a landmark initiative aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable community practices, F-PICO, a leading Japanese manufacturer of food containers, has partnered with STAR, a local supermarket chain in Shiga Prefecture. Their joint effort, dubbed the "Eco-Store Partnership Declaration," seeks to advance the concept of horizontal recycling through its "Store to Store" model, encouraging both businesses and consumers to take part in eco-friendly practices.

What is the "Store to Store" Model?

The "Store to Store" concept revolves around collecting used food trays and PET bottles from stores and transforming them into new food trays which are then reused in the very same shops. This innovative, circular recycling process not only maintains the original use of resources but also significantly reduces CO2 emissions. With the commitment to socially responsible practice, the partnership marks a crucial step towards building more environmentally friendly stores alongside consumers.

F-PICO will repurpose all used food trays collected at STAR stores into eco-friendly products such as "Eco Trays." By switching to environmentally sustainable trays for meat and fish, the initiative facilitates a closed-loop cycle—the essence of the horizontal recycling model—to optimize waste management and environmental care.

Sustainability Goals

F-PICO and STAR aim to enhance the use of eco-friendly products, targeting a CO2 emission reduction of 164 kg, an ambitious 15% increase compared to the previous year. Through this partnership declaration, both companies aspire to position local stores as eco-leaders, expanding collection efforts and spearheading environmental awareness campaigns in their communities. This initiative pledges to contribute actively to a sustainable society, ensuring that local citizens play a vital role in environmental conservation.

Understanding Eco Products

The newly defined eco-products to be utilized include:

• - Eco Tray: A food tray made from recycled polystyrene collected from stores.
• - Eco APET: Transparent containers created from recycled PET sheets made from collected clear containers and PET bottles.
• - Eco OPET: A specialized transparent container that maintains the beneficial properties of PET, including oil resistance and transparency, allowing for thermal stability.

About F-PICO

Founded in July 1962 and headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, F-PICO has established itself as Japan's largest manufacturer of food containers primarily used in supermarkets and convenience stores. The company focuses on resource circulation through its own recycling systems such as "Tray to Tray" and "Bottle to Container." F-PICO is committed to accomplishing a sustainable society by minimizing environmental impact through innovation in packaging solutions. More information is accessible via their website and their dedicated recycling portal.

About STAR

STAR, a supermarket chain founded in July 1982, operates four stores in Shiga Prefecture. It prides itself on its commitment to providing high-quality local and designated products quickly and efficiently. STAR emphasizes freshness, particularly for perishable goods, and aims to become an indispensable part of the community by continually evolving in step with customer expectations. For further information, visit their website.

This collaborative effort between F-PICO and STAR is a pioneering step toward a sustainable future, urging communities to participate in eco-friendly practices while fostering a culture of recycling and environmental awareness. As this movement gains momentum, the potential for significant positive environmental change becomes increasingly tangible.