As the world population increases, the reduction of food loss and waste has become a global issue, which as a member of the food industry, we must seriously address. As the first step for the Morinaga Group, we have established long-term goals for reducing food loss and waste occurring in the stages of raw materials receipt, manufacturing, logistics and product delivery. Going forward, we will consider our efforts in the consumption stage, while contributing to the reduced occurrence of food loss and waste, improving the recycling rate and donations to food banks, in promoting a cycle and effective use of food resources.
Food loss and waste reduced by 70% from receiving of raw materials to delivery (distribution)
| Target | Result for FY2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| FY2031/3 | -70% | ▲70% |
In FY2023, we achieved our target seven years ahead of schedule. To maintain this reduction rate in the years that follow, we will promote various company-wide initiatives.
To achieve our goal of reducing food loss and waste, we are working to reduce food waste emissions. Specifically, we are promoting continuous productivity improvement activities, operational improvements such as reducing process losses, and further optimization of manufacturing conditions. As a result of these efforts, we reduced food loss and waste by 89 tons in FY2023 compared to the previous year.
To reduce food loss and waste, we are first striving to "prevent food waste generation" However, the food waste that does occur is mainly recycled into feed, fertilizer, and raw materials for methane fermentation.
In our factories, four of them achieved a 100% food recycling rate : Mishima Factory, Takasaki Morinaga Co., Ltd., Morinaga Angel Dessert Co., Ltd., Morinaga Dessert Co., Ltd. Furthermore, we will aim to achieve a 100% food recycling rate in our other factories as well.
Regarding food waste that has been traditionally difficult to recycle due to packaging, we have introduced packaging separation equipment at the Tsurumi Factory and Mishima Factory. This will advance the conversion of packaged food waste into recyclable materials and promote the effective use of resources.
Moreover, at our Metropolitan Area Distribution Center, we have promoted the recycling of product waste that was previously difficult to recycle.
We will continue to promote recycling through various initiatives.
Through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the Morinaga Group has declared its support for the UN Food Systems Summit held in September 2021, and has submitted its commitment towards achievement of the sustainable development goals.
Going forward, the Group will work to cut down greenhouse gas emissions, pursue sustainable raw-materials procurement, and reduce Food Loss and Waste with the aim of contributing to sustainable food systems as set forth at the Food Systems Summit, particularly to boosting nature-positive production and to the shift to sustainable consumption patterns.
The World Food Programme is the sole food-assistance organization of the United Nations, and it is dedicated to achieving zero hunger.
The JAWFP is implementing the "Gochisosama Challenge" campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the importance of food by encouraging actions to reduce food waste. Through this campaign, school meals are provided to children in developing countries.
We have been donating to this campaign since FY2020.
Since FY2021, We have supported the Osaka Prefecture Food Loss Reduction Promotion Plan and regularly attends its meetings. At the first meeting of the Food Loss Reduction Network in FY2021, we shared issues at the sales field with the theme of reducing food loss in distribution. At the second meeting of the Food Loss Reduction Network in FY2022, we proposed recipes that consumers can easily try in their daily lives as a method of reducing food loss.
In FY2023, we received the "Osaka Environment Award" for our various initiatives aimed at reducing food loss from the perspective of a food manufacturer.
Recipe proposal at the 2nd Food Loss and Waste Reduction Network Roundtable in FY2022