Japan selects 15 projects to expand mottECO food waste reduction scheme

Japan’s Ministry of the Environment announced the selection of 15 organisations for its mottECO Implementation Advisory Support Project following an application period from 21 May to 30 June 2026. The initiative provides direct operational assistance to municipal authorities and food service providers establishing mottECO, a national scheme encouraging restaurant diners to take home uneaten food.

The advisory project addresses commercial food waste across the food service sector by helping local actors overcome practical obstacles associated with taking home leftovers. Selected participants will receive tailored, end-to-end guidance from technical advisers. This support covers preliminary operational surveys, the preparation of handling and safety manuals, stakeholder coordination, and post-implementation impact evaluation.

The 15 selected entities reflect a diverse cross-section of municipal governments, hotel operators, and food service businesses. The public sector participants comprise Edogawa City, Ota City, and Machida City in Tokyo, Tokushima Prefecture, Komaki City and Handa City in Aichi Prefecture, and the towns of Shimokawa and Shintoku in Hokkaido. The selected private entities and dining operators include M&S Food Services Co., Ltd., KR Food Service Co., Ltd., Harmony Co., Ltd., Hato Bus Co., Ltd. Ginza Capital Hotel, Hirai Ryori System Co., Ltd., Field Alliance Co., Ltd., and Mottainai Shokudo.

Under the mottECO framework, dining establishments and local councils work together to establish clear health guidelines, ensuring that taking home unconsumed meals is safe for consumers and manageable for staff. The ministry aims to create standardised operational models that can be replicated by other municipalities and hospitality businesses across Japan.