The Container Problem

The Environmental Value of "Bulk Sales"

Bulk sale of shochu has garnered interest from its inception in 1998, and by March of 2000 could boast of saving 550,000 2.7-l PETE bottles and 91,000 cardboard boxes. Bulk sale is an excellent example of producing a minimal environmental impact product through cooperation with customers, retailers, and manufacturers. This sales method reduces resource use and decreases waste through minimal effort. Currently, 1 kl and 200 liter tanks are being used throughout the country. Recycling has traditionally been divided into the 3 Rs of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Bulk sales actually predicate a new R: Refuse, which aims for purchase of only necessary items and refusing to buy unnecessary items. As of August 2000, about 100 shops in Japan participate in bulk sales.

Other Recycling Efforts by TaKaRa

In 1999, other efforts focused on increasing recycle rates and developing easy-to-recycle products:

* Eco-PETE bottles for alcoholic drinks and condiments Eco-PETE is an easy to recycle PETE bottle that conforms to independent design guidelines for Type 2 Designated PETE Bottle recycling. It uses recycled PETE materials, an easy to remove label, and a plastic cap.

Hon-Mirin's removable cap

* Using an Ecology Bottle for Seishu The Ecology Bottle is a recycled glass bottle which takes over 90% of its glass cullet (ground used glass) from colors other than brown, known for their difficulty to recycle. Use is spreading among manufacturers as part of a policy for recycling glass cullet from the colored glass typically used for wine and shochu.

Ecology Bottle