Sapporo Test-Markets Beer with Carbon Footprint Calculated

Sapporo Breweries Ltd., a major Japanese brewer, test-marketed one of its products that includes a carbon footprint mark on its label in February 2009, in the Hokkaido area of Japan. This was the world's first attempt by a company in the brewing industry to market a product using its carbon footprint as a selling point. The label shows the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced throughout the product's life cycle.

Sapporo Black Label beer (350 ml can), the company's biggest selling product, was selected for the carbon footprint trial. The company has been assessing the impacts of its life cycle, such as manufacturing, distribution, and disposal, and then calculating the amount of CO2 emissions since 2004.

In 2008, as a participant in the Study Group for Developing and Promoting a Carbon Footprint Program -- organized by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry -- Sapporo Breweries displayed its test samples carrying the carbon footprint mark at the Eco-Products 2008 Exhibition in December. It also introduced the study group's interim standards used for calculating the amount of CO2 emissions to determine the carbon footprint of its product.

The test sale was aimed at promoting the use of the carbon footprint system among consumers, and collecting information towards its full-scale introduction.

Ministry to Proceed with Carbon Footprint Program (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/028738.html
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. official website
http://www.sapporobeer.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2009/05/24 06:00:15 AM

TAG Eco-product/Business , Global warming , Manufacturing industry