Yamato Co., a supermarket chain that operates 10 stores in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, has been actively engaging in recycling of household food waste. Food waste from their shoppers is processed by kitchen waste composters at the stores, and the compost is distributed to contract farmers in order to grow vegetables, which are then sold at the supermarket chain.

In March 2007, Yamato installed a kitchen waste composter that can handle about 150 kilograms of the waste per day, equivalent to the output from 300 households, at its Fujimi store in Nirasaki, Yamanashi Pref. The company introduced an "eco point" system providing points equal to 5 yen (about US 4 cents) for member shoppers who bring food waste. Now Yamato accepts waste at all of its stores in order to promote the system across the board.

The total volume of waste brought to the stores per day averages 70 to 80 kilograms. The amount of kitchen garbage brought by shoppers is expected to increase, as vegetables grown with the compost are sold at the stores. "This system has been well received by our environment-conscious customers. Our next step is to encourage the expansion of the system" said Mr. Kobayashi, the president of Yamato Co.



Posted: 2008/03/03 09:23:17 AM

TAG Material reduction , Non-manufacturing industry