#Japan #Tokyo #Lotte #Life Corporation #Smart Eco Challenge

Lotte and Life Corporation Join Forces for Eco-Friendly Initiative

In a significant move for environmental sustainability, Lotte Co., Ltd. has announced its collaboration with Life Corporation to implement a recycling demonstration project for used gum containers. This effort, known as the Smart Eco Challenge, will take place in select Life supermarket locations this year.

The initiative aims to collect empty plastic gum containers, originally used for products like xylitol gum, from consumers. The collected containers will be transformed into recycled pellets and repurposed into mini shopping baskets for use in Life supermarkets. This year, the duration and number of participating stores have been expanded to enhance the impact of the project.

Overview of the Demonstration Project

Objective

The primary goal of this initiative is to facilitate the social implementation of plastic container packaging separation and recycling.

Schedule

The collection boxes will be installed from June 2025 until November 30, 2025.

Participating Stores

A total of seven Life supermarkets will host collection boxes, including:

• - Toyosu Store
• - Higashisuna Store
• - Kameido Store
• - Fukagawa Sarue Store
• - Kinshicho Station Front Store
• - Kikukawa Store
• - Central Square Osaki Store (Note: Installation periods and stores are subject to change)

Event Launching the Demonstration Project

In conjunction with the project launch, a store event will be held on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at Central Square Osaki Store. During the event:

• - Morning Session: An informative session will explain the project and unveil mini shopping baskets made from recycled materials from last year’s efforts.
• - Afternoon Session: A quiz rally will be conducted to engage participants in questions related to food education and sustainability. Participants will have the opportunity to win Lotte candies and merchandise from Life's original mascot, Rarapi.

Registration Information

Morning Session (10:30 AM - 12:00 PM): A hands-on seminar on food education aimed at emphasizing the importance of chewing. Limited to 12 people (6 pairs) with prior registration at the service counter.
Afternoon Session (1:30 PM - 5:00 PM): A free-entry quiz rally with no limit on the number of participants. Open to everyone.

Eligibility and Cost

The seminar is open to elementary school children and their parents, while the quiz rally is open to all participants at no charge.

Lotte's Sustainability Commitment: Future Challenge 2048

Lotte is committed to sustainability through its initiative called Future Challenge 2048, which aims to eliminate petroleum-based plastics in packaging by the year 2048. This ambitious goal highlights the company’s dedication to fostering an environmentally responsible future through various initiatives.

You can find more details about Lotte's sustainability efforts on their website: Lotte Sustainability

Addressing Plastic Waste with the Smile Eco Challenge

One of the key challenges in promoting a circular economy for plastics is the effective separation and collection of used plastic. As part of Lotte's efforts to tackle this issue, the current demonstration project represents a first step towards organizing a systematic approach for plastic container separation and recycling.

Through initiatives like this demonstration project, Lotte promotes their Smile Eco Challenge, which encompasses various challenges aimed at achieving a sustainable society related to container packaging. The company remains committed to collaborating with stakeholders across the supply chain to establish a sustainable future through the Smile Eco Challenge.

For more information about Lotte's ongoing efforts, please visit Lotte Official Website.