Zenbird Editorial TeamKirishima Shuzo has entered a partnership with Miyakonojo City and Starbucks Coffee Japan to circulate shochu lees and coffee grounds into biogas to provide renewable energy for the local community.
Under this collaboration, Kirishima Shuzo accepts coffee grounds from two Starbucks stores within Miyakonojo City at its dedicated recycling plant. The facility processes these grounds alongside shochu lees, a by-product of the distilling process, through methane fermentation. This initiative is also the first application of the Recycling Business Designation System established by Miyakonojo City in January 2026. Kirishima Shuzo is the first entity to receive this designation, which allows the city to authorise specific businesses for the collection, transport, and recycling of industrial waste.
The project handles approximately 20 kilograms of coffee grounds daily. This volume generates about 2.2 cubic metres of biogas, which is equivalent to the energy required to power 1.4 households. It is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 0.9 tonnes annually.
The three organisations intend to deepen their cooperation to promote waste reduction and the sustainable use of regional resources.
[Reference] Kirishima Shuzo New Information (Japanese)
