This week in Circular Economy in Japan (21 May)

BLUE SEED PROJECT continues to expand with new partners

“BLUE SEED PROJECT” is a pioneering initiative aimed at creating a circular economy by recycling disposable contact lens blisters. The project, which began in December 2022, is not limited to Seed products but includes all contact lens blisters. Miura Industries Co., Ltd. has been an active participant, encouraging its employees and their families across approximately 100 branches nationwide to contribute to the collection efforts.

The collected blisters are purchased by Veolia Japan and transformed into reusable plastic pallets, a high-demand item in logistics. These pallets can be melted down and repurposed multiple times, reducing waste and disposal costs.

More use cases for Fermenstation’s upcycled ethanol

Fermenstation has announced that its “Rice Moromi Kasu Extract,” derived from fermented and extracted organic rice, has been incorporated into Flannel Co., Ltd.’s JAPAN MADE body care brand, “SWATi MARBLe.” The extract, produced using Fermenstation’s unique fermentation and distillation technology, is the only ethanol in Japan to have obtained organic certification. It’s domestically produced and is expected to meet the growing demand for sustainability and traceability in various sectors, including cosmetics and daily necessities.

The “Rice Moromi Kasu Extract” is rich in ceramides and amino acids, offering moisturizing benefits for the skin. The organic rice used as a raw material is cultivated from regenerated fallow fields, and the manufacturing process is environmentally conscious, reducing water resources and utilizing 100% renewable energy.

snaq.me prevents banana food loss

snaq.me launched its “Upcycle Ama Jukuou Banana Pound Cake,” a product made from “Ama Jukuou” bananas that didn’t meet conventional standards. The company’s “Upcycle Snack Project” aims to reduce food waste by transforming discarded fruits and vegetables into appealing snacks. This initiative, in collaboration with Smiful Japan Co., Ltd., utilizes bananas that fell short of standard criteria due to cosmetic imperfections, but whose taste and quality remain unaffected.

The Ama Jukuou bananas, cultivated using a unique method honed over 50 years, offer a distinctive sweetness and rich flavor, earning them the title “king of bananas.” snaq.me, a digital-first snack manufacturer, is committed to continuous service improvement and breaking traditional industry boundaries. By focusing on the snack experience rather than the product, the company hopes to raise awareness about food waste and promote sustainable consumption behaviors.