Suntory | Sustainability | Packaging ＆ Resource Efficiency

Policies and Our Approach
Promoting Structure
Targets and Progress
Our Initiatives

Policies and Our Approach

To build a recycling-oriented society, Suntory group will promote problem-solving efforts together with various stakeholders. Each employee of Suntory will work on taking responsible action to solve problems and take the initiative in bringing about a sustainable society.
Containers and packaging protect and preserve the quality of products until reaching the customers. However, most of them become waste after the content is consumed by the customer. Suntory Group recognizes the social and environmental impacts that containers and packaging cause and established voluntary "Guidelines for the Environmental Design of Containers and Packaging" in 1997. Designs are made following the Guideline such as selecting material for labels and color of glass bottles that consider recycling. In addition, we are engaging in initiatives from the stand point of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to reduce environmental impact of containers and packaging.

3Rs of Containers and Packaging

The Suntory Group works to develop containers and packaging that give consideration to the environment, based on the 3Rs of "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle". We work on reducing the weight, using materials with less environmental impact, and designing packaging that is easy to recycle, while taking into consideration usability from the time customers drink the product to the time it is recycled. We also work in collaboration with various recycling organizations and local governments to promote recycling.

Promoting Structure

Global Sustainability Committee

To promote sustainability management, the Global Sustainability Committee (GSC) acts as an advisory committee to the Board of Directors. The Group’s sustainability strategies and the progress on priority themes (water, climate change, containers and packaging, raw ingredients, health, human rights and enriching life) are discussed in the GSC under the lead of the Chief Sustainability Officer.

For more information on the Global Sustainability Committee, see Environmental Management.

Targets and Progress

Targets Toward 2030	2021 Progress
Switch all the PET bottles used globally to be made of recycled or plant-based material by 2030, achieving zero use of virgin petroleum-based materials.	Percentage of PET bottles made of recycled or plant-based material: 19%

Our Initiatives

Initiatives for Plastic

Plastic products have enriched our lives through their usefulness. On the other hand, the environmental impact caused by improper handling of used plastics has become a social problem. In Japan, the Ministry of the Environment has formulated the "Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy" as a strategy to comprehensively promote resource recycling while recognizing the convenience of plastic products.
The Suntory Group also formulated the Plastic Policy in 2019 in order to strongly lead the transformation to a recycling-oriented and decarbonized society. Based on this policy, we aim to achieve 100% sustainable bottle by using only recycled or plant-based materials for all our PET bottles used globally by 2030 and eliminating the use of virgin petroleum-based materials.

Suntory Group Plastic Policy

Expressing gratitude toward the Blessings of Nature that are the source of Suntory’s products, the Suntory Group will provide strong leadership for transforming into a recycling-oriented and zero carbon society to bring about a world where diverse animal and plant life shines and resonates. With its diversity in usage and convenience, plastic has made our lives easier.
The plastic containers and packaging we use serve a useful function, but to prevent them from having a negative impact on the global environment, we will promote problem-solving efforts together with various stakeholders. Each employee of Suntory will work on taking responsible action to solve problems and take the initiative in bringing about a sustainable society.

1.

Recycle & Renewable:
- (1)
  
  Aim to switch all the PET bottles used globally for Suntory products to be made of recycled or plant-based material by 2030, achieving zero use of virgin petroleum-based materials.
- (2)
  
  Actively work and collaborate with government agencies, industry, environmental non-governmental and non-profit organizations for the measures necessary to develop an efficient recycling system based on the situation of each country where we do business.
2.

Reduce & Replacement:
Reduce the amount of plastic used by changing the design of containers and packaging and look for the introduction of alternative containers that do not negatively impact the environment in order to effectively utilize resources.
3.

Innovation:
Actively invest in innovation for materials and processes that improve the recycling rate and minimize environmental impact.
4.

New Behavior:
Promote activities that drive change in consumer behavior. Each Suntory employee will work to change their lifestyle, promote sorting and collection, and actively participate in social contribution activities such as cleaning up rivers and beaches.

2R+B Strategy

In regards to plastic bottle containers, we are striving forward according to our 2R+B(Reduce・Recycle + Bio) strategy that is unique to Suntory. The concept is to replace petroleum-derived raw materials with renewable raw materials to the extent possible, while reducing the amount of resin used and using recycled materials in development to achieve thorough and effective use of resources.

Reduce: Light weighting

Light weighting of PET bottles

The 550mL Suntory Tennensui natural mineral water is packaged in the most lightweight PET bottle in Japan^*1 (11.9g).
The bottle design was developed using Suntory’s own technology, and it allows us to reduce the use of petroleum-derived ingredients by approximately 40% per bottle. By bringing the weight to 29.8g, we were the first in Japan to achieve the weight of less than 30g for 2L bottles.

*1

Plastic bottles for mineral water (500mL to 600mL) in Japan. As of November April 2023

Introducing Record Breaking Thinnest Roll Label^*1 for Plastic Bottle Beverages in Japan

We are reducing the weight of product labels on plastic bottles to reduce environmental impact. We were able to realize the thinnest plastic bottle roll label in Japan at 16㎛ (micrometer^*2) in 2012. An even thinner label at 12㎛ has been introduced to the 2L plastic bottles and 550ml plastic bottles of our Suntory Tennensui mineral water in April 2014. Thereafter, we have been advancing the expansion to all of our products that use roll labels. This has allowed us to reduce CO₂ emissions by 25%^*3 compared to conventional labels.

*1

Labels that peel off from the glued area instead of peeling off at the perforations
*2

1/1,000mm
*3

Reduction rate in the film (label) manufacturing process

12㎛ thick role label, thinnest in Japan

Bottle Caps Made of 100% bio-based PET materials^*1.

We are also reducing our environmental impact in the bottle caps on plastic bottles. Since September 2016, we have adopted 1.85g bottle caps, which are the lightest in Japan^*2 that use 30% bio-based PET materials for Suntory Minami-Alps Tennensui mineral water. This innovation reduces the use of petroleum-derived raw materials by 35%^*3 and decreases CO₂ emissions by 27% compared to conventional PET bottle caps.
In addition, we have further evolved our environmental efforts by using bio-based materials and in March 2019, we began introducing polyethylene caps with 100% plant-derived ethylene for 550ml Suntory Aso Tennensui mineral water which is manufactured at our Kyushu Kumamoto Plant. This innovation reduces the use of petroleum-derived raw materials by 90%^*2 and decreases CO₂ emissions by 56% compared to current PET bottle caps.

*1

Polyethylene caps with 100% plant-derived ethylene as the main raw material. Excluding trace amounts of petroleum-derived components and colorant components at the time of production line changeover.
*2

As of April 2023
*3

One bottle of Suntory Tennensui Mineral Water (550mL)
*4

One bottle cap of Suntory Tennensui Mineral Water (550mL)

Trajectory of PET Bottle Product Weight Reduction

Example of CO₂ emissions reduction in product ("Suntory Tennensui" 2L PET bottle)

Example of CO2 emissions reduction in product ("Suntory Tennensui" 2L PET bottle)

*1

As of April 2023
*2,3

Based on our calculations of 2012 production plan

In-house Blow Molding of PET Bottles

The Suntory Group is promoting in-house molding to produce PET preforms from PET resin and blow then into PET bottles. This enables integrated design and management from bottle molding to filling, reducing the amount of resin used and also making it easier to reduce the weight of the bottle.
In addition, fuel and CO₂ emissions during transportation are reduced compared to when purchasing finished PET bottles. Furthermore, by recovering and reusing the high-pressure air used in PET bottle molding, we use energy efficiently and reduce CO₂ emissions.

PET resin
Preform made from resin
Shaped PET bottle

Adopting Technology to Plastic Bottle for Spirits Products

We are taking great advantage of the technology cultivated in our soft drink business in our spirits business. Suntory Spirits Ltd. has launched the 4L 110g plastic bottle, which is the lightest in Japan, to whisky products such as Kakubin, Torys and other alcoholic products starting from June 2016. By making it up to 18% lighter than the conventional 134g or 120g, the use of PET resin is reduced, resulting in an annual CO₂ emissions reduction of approximately 460 tons (17%)^*. We have also removed the grip used on conventional PET bottles and adopted a new deep grip section in the center of the bottle for ease of use in collaboration with the PET bottle manufacturer.

*

Based on our calculations

Old 4L plastic bottle and new lightweight 4L plastic bottle

Development of World's Lightest^* Heat-resistant Plastic Bottles Leveraging Japanese Technological Capabilities

The Japanese manufacturing technology and design capabilities for reducing weight of plastic bottles have been used in Group companies in Europe and Asia. In 2020, we succeeded in developing the world's lightest^* PET bottle weighing 15g in heat-resistant filled containers that also pursue functionality, versatility, and design. This heat-resistant PET bottle utilizes technology that prevents deformation of the bottle by dropping nitrogen to create positive pressure.
We have introduced this bottle to Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) and Suntory Garuda Beverage (Indonesia) and Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beveerage (Vietnam). We also have started using 100% recycled materials for these bottles from 2023.

Lightest heat-resistant bottle in South East Asia

*

In the 450mL class of heat-resistant PET bottles (as of April 2023, according to our own research)Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

PET Bottle Self-Manufacturing Technology at Beam Suntory

Beam Suntory has been introducing its first bottle self-brewing technology for 1.75L spirits since 2017. This self-manufacturing process has enabled weight reduction of bottles by 14%. In addition, reduction in weight and transporting preforms instead of bottles have greatly improved efficiency in transport, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact.

We plan to introduce even lighter bottles by 2023, and expect to reduce the bottle weight by approximately 26% compared to the weight before the 2017 self-manufacturing project. We are also considering using the self-manufactured bottle technology obtained through this initiative to further expand to other capacities, such as 100ml to 1L.

Recycle: Promote “Bottle to Bottle” Horizontal Recycling

“Bottle to Bottle” Horizontal Recycling in Japan

In 2011, Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. partnered with Kyoei Sangyo Co., Ltd. to develop the Japanese beverage industry’s first B-to-B^*1 mechanical recycling system^*2 for PET bottles.
Reused PET resin was 50% at the time of introduction but after confirming that stable supply was possible after about a year of operation, we increased the percentage of reused PET resin to 100%. This PET bottle using 100% reused PET resin is used for many products including 2L Suntory Oolong Tea and Iyemon.
This system received Commendation for Contributors to the Development of a Recycling-oriented Society in 2011 and 2012, and Commendation for Global Warming Prevention (Technological Development and Commercialization Category) in 2011 both from the Minister of the Environment, and Nikkei Global Environmental Technology Excellence Award in 2011 for the first time in the food industry. We also received the 21st Global Environment Award in 2012 and Environmental Excellence Award hosted by the Hitachi Environment Foundation and Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Ltd. in 2013.

The recycled PET bottles produced by mechanical recycling take on a color during the process but they have no quality issues and safety issues. The mechanical recycling system have highest cost efficiency and lowest environmental impact^*3 (CO₂ emissions from raw material procurement to preform manufacturing) among PET bottle recycling systems adopted in Japan as of April 2023

*1

B-to-B: "Bottle to bottle," signifying the creation of a new PET bottle from a recycled one.
*2

Mechanical recycling: A method in which recycled resin obtained by material recycling (used products are processed by crushing, washing, and made into raw materials for products again) is further processed under high temperature and reduced pressure for a certain period of time to remove impurities in the recycled material and make PET resin of suitable quality for beverage containers.
*3

Based on our research

Adoption of F-to-P direct recycling technology

In 2017, as part of our recycling efforts, we collaborated with Kyoei Sangyo Co., Ltd. and overseas machinery manufacturers (EREMA in Austria and SIPA in Italy) to develop F-to-P direct recycling technology which is expected to further reduce environmental impact. We began production in the fall of 2018. F-to-P direct recycling technology is a technology that can directly manufacture preforms after melting and filtering flakes made from collected PET bottles that have been crushed and washed at high temperatures. The F-to-P direct recycling technology can reduce CO₂ emissions by 70%^* compared to virgin PET bottles. (Current mechanical recycle can reduce CO₂ emissions by 60%^*.)

F-to-P direct recycling equipment
Products that use F-to-P direct recycling technology

*

Processes from used PET bottles to the preform production.

Active Implementation of Recycled PET Bottles within the Group

To achieve the 2030 fully sustainable PET bottle goal, we are promoting implementation of recycled PET bottles globally.
In Japan, we have introduced PET bottles made of 100% recycled PET bottles for “GREEN DA-KA-RA Yasashii Mugi-cha (680ml, 600ml)”. In addition, we use 100% recycled PET bottles for many of our products, including "Craft Boss" and "Iyemon". We have adopted the logo mark "A bottle is a resource, Sustainable Bottles” to all PET bottled products^*1 to communicate with consumers by rolling out the logo "To Sustainable Bottles" to all PET bottle products^*1. We have also use 100% recycled PET bottles for wine products 720ml in Japan.
In 2022, the percentage of sustainable materials (recycled or plant-derived materials) used in our soft drinks business increased to 46% of the weight of all PET bottles. In 2023, we aim to use sustainable materials in at least 50% of all PET bottles by weight by continuing to actively promote "bottle-to-bottle" horizontal recycling and promoting the use of plant-derived materials. In addition, in businesses other than soft drinks, we have achieved 100% recycled bottles in 720ml PET bottles for our domestic wine business. We will continue to accelerate our group-wide efforts.
Suntory Beverage & Food Europe brand Ribena was the first soft drinks brand in the UK to use a 100% PET bottle made from recycled plastic in 2007.The company has been increasing its use of recycled plastic - in 2021 this included the introduction of 100% recycled PET in May Tea and Pulco in France. In 2022, Suntory Beverage & Food Europe has started 100% recycled PET bottles in its Lucozade Sport brand in the UK and Ireland.
Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific, with its main operations in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, is also strengthening its efforts on recycling and has introduced the company's first 100% recycled PET bottles in Vietnam in 2022.

*1

Excluding label-less products

Logo「bottle is resources！
To Sustainable bottle」
「Yasasii Mugicya 680ml」
「Delica Maison Red720mlPET」
Ribena

Development of The World's First PET Bottle Chemically Recycled with Enzyme Technology

Suntory Beverage & Food Europe is investing in a French green biotech company Carbios' enzymatic PET recycling technology through a consortium with L'Oréal, Nestlé Waters and PepsiCo. Carbios' optimized enzyme breaks down any kind of PET plastic (regardless of color or complexity) into its building blocks, which can then be turned back into like-new, virgin-quality plastic. In June 2021, Carbios produced the world's first food-grade PET plastic bottle prototypes made entirely from enzymatically recycled plastic which was showcased in the company's Orangina brand. In September 2021, Carbios successfully launched a demonstration plant and aims to build an industrial facility by 2025.

*

Based on our research

Product Labels Made with Recycled PET Bottles

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. introduced product label made with recycled PET bottles in part of 2L bottles for major non-alcoholic beverages such as (Mineral Water) Suntory Tennensui, Iyemon and Suntory Oolong Tea in November 2010 and currently uses role label^* method for all its products.
This label is the first role label in the industry to use recycled PET bottles and the percentage of recycle PET used has been increased from 60% to 80% in March 2012.

*

Labels that peel off from the glued area instead of peeling off at the perforations

Roll label made with recycled PET bottles

Bio: Active Use of Plant-based Resin

Aiming for 100% plant-based plastic

The Suntory Group aims to replace petroleum-derived raw materials with renewable raw materials as much as possible in the development of plastic bottles. We implemented plastic bottles that use 30% bio-based PET materials for the Suntory Tennensui mineral water 550ml in 2013.
Suntory Holdings Ltd. and Anellotech, Inc., a green innovation and technology company in the United States, have worked in a collaborative development of a plastic bottle that uses 100% plant-derived raw materials, and construction has begun in 2016 on a development and testing plant to produce plastic bottle materials in the state of Texas. In the future, we are planning to introduce PET bottles made from 100% plant-based materials for Suntory Tennensui mineral water brand of Suntory Beverage & Foods Ltd. In the development process, we aim to produce "paraxylene," a precursor of terephthalic acid which constitutes 70% of PET bottle materials, exclusively from inedible plant-based materials (woodchips) so as not to affect the supply chain of materials for food use.
We has successfully created a prototype PET bottle made from 100% plant-based materials in 2021. This marks a breakthrough after a nearly decade-long partnership with the US-based sustainable technology company Anellotech.

Development and testing plant

Collaboration with Industry and Local Governments for Packaging Recycling

Promoting Horizontal Recycling with Local Governments and corporations

With the aim of realizing a recycling-oriented society, the Suntory Group has been working on "bottle-to-bottle" horizontal recycling, in which used plastic bottles are recycled into new plastic bottles, in cooperation with local governments and companies. By concluding an agreement on "bottle-to-bottle" horizontal recycling with local governments, we will recycle PET bottles discharged by residents as resources into new PET bottles for Suntory beverages. In addition, educational classes on PET bottle recycling are held at elementary and junior high schools in municipalities with which we have concluded agreements. We have also concluded similar agreements with distribution companies and commercial facilities to recycle used PET bottles collected at stores and other locations into Suntory beverage bottles through "bottle-to-bottle" horizontal recycling and hold consumer awareness events.

Establishment of R Plus Japan to Work on the Recycling of Used Plastics

12 companies(including Suntory) within the plastics supply chain established R Plus Japan Ltd., a joint venture company focused on the recycling of used plastics. As of April 2023, the number of participating companies has expanded to 40, and together with Anellotech, we are developing technologies to recycle used plastics.
It is said that may of the plastics that are not PET bottles are being currently incinerated in Japan. This technology enables plastics including PET bottles to be chemically recycled by directly returning such plastics to benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylene, propylene and other materials. It requires less treatment process compared to other chemical recycling that require liquefaction and is hoped to reduce CO₂ emissions and energy use. If this technology is established, we believe more used plastic can be recycled efficiently.
R-Plus Japan Corporation aims to contribute to the solution of the plastics problem, which is common worldwide, through collaboration across industries, in addition to technological development and its implementation in society.

*

Includes thermal recovery (heat utilization), in which heat generated during incineration is recovered and utilized for power generation and heat supply

Conventional technology and new technology

R Plus Japan, Ltd. home page (in Japanese)

Installation of an industry-unified recycling box with new function next to vending machine

From the autumn of 2022, we will start deploying recycling boxes with industry-standard specifications for outdoor areas where there is a lot of contamination.
The industry-unified recycling box with new function has been verified to be effective in reducing contamination through measures such as the downward facing insertion slot.
In order to promote the horizontal recycling of PET bottles, we are focusing on collecting used PET bottles from vending machines.
It increases operational efficiency and contributes to resource recycling of PET bottles.
Suntory Group will continue to use the recycling box next to the vending machine as the gateway to resource recycling, and will continue to raise awareness of the message that "it is not a trash can, but a recycling box."

For more information, see Japan Soft Drink Association

The industry-unified recycling box with new function next to vending machine

Education Program

The Suntory Group, which uses many PET bottles in its business activities, has been working to promote understanding of recycling initiatives and sorted collection of PET bottles through seminars outside the company to help realize a sustainable society. In 2021, we signed an agreement with Waseda University on the realization of a resource-recycling society, and we are also making efforts for the next generation.
At elementary and junior high schools in municipalities with which we have concluded bottle-to-bottle agreements, we conduct educational classes on the horizontal "bottle-to-bottle" recycling of plastic bottles and correct sorting, providing an opportunity for students to think about recycling and resource recycling. With companies with which we have concluded bottle-to-bottle agreements, we are engaged in educational seminars for employees and at family events.
Internally, we not only promote the sorting behavior of each employee for recycling beyond the boundaries of the company and departments, but also overseas, In September 2022, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverages in Vietnam conducted a beach cleanup near Hanoi in cooperation with Ocean Conservancy, a global marine nature conservation organization, with more than 150 participants, including employees and their families.

Education program in elementary school
Beach clean activity in Vietnam

Alliance Membership

Joined the Clean Ocean Materials Alliance (CLOMA)

Suntory Group has been a member of CLOMA, a public-private alliance established in January 2019 at the call of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, since its inception. Through this alliance, we will strongly cooperate with government agencies and industries to develop and promote alternative materials for plastics, and aim to build an efficient recycling system that meets the needs of each country through information dissemination and technical consulting services to overseas countries.

Joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP)

In November 2019, Suntory Group joined the Global Plastic Action Partnership ("GPAP"), a global alliance dedicated to solving environmental challenges caused by plastics. The GPAP is a global alliance for a circular economy of plastics, created by a public-private partnership based on the World Economic Forum with the aim of solving environmental challenges caused by plastics. Its members include the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada, as well as a wide range of businesses, investors, experts, NGOs, and other citizen organizations. In addition to exchanging information and sharing best practices at the global level, the Alliance has recently formed partnerships with the governments of Indonesia, Ghana, and Vietnam, and is engaged in community-based project activities at the local level.

WWF Japan’s "Plastic Circular Challenge 2025

In February 2022, the Suntory Group joined the Plastic Circular Challenge 2025 organized by WWF Japan (World Wide Fund for Nature Japan) with the aim of realizing a sustainable society.
The Plastic Circular Challenge 2025 is a framework for companies to respond to WWF Japan's call for action to solve the problems of plastics. Participating companies have set a milestone year of 2025 as their commitment to containers and packaging and single-use plastics, and will promote activities based on a "Sustainable Circular Economy" approach.

Cans/bottles/barrels/paper packaging/cardboard

Reduce: Lightweighting

Lightweighting in Cans

We are furthering the lightweighting in cans such as those used for beer and coffee by aiming to dramatically reduce the amount of resources that are used while maintaining the usability for customers.
We have conducted initiatives for aluminum cans that include shrinking the diameter of the lid of beer cans in 2008 and the bodies of aluminum cans containing low-alcohol beverages such as beer and Chu-Hi in 2014. In addition, the promotion of even more lightweighting is underway with the introduction of thinner bodies even in steel cans for coffee.

Boss Rainbow Mountain Blend
The Premium Malt’s
-196℃ Chu-Hi Strong Zero <Double Lemon>

Lightweighting in Glass Bottles

The medium-sized glass bottle for The Premium Malt's has achieved weight savings of roughly 10g to 460g in 2014. The thickness of the body section that the label is adhered has been designed 0.2 to 0.3 millimeters thinner to prevent damage by bumping into other bottles. We are also improving the shape of the bottle so it does not get damaged when opening the bottle with cap opener and other improvements in the quality of the bottle.

The Premium Malt's medium glass bottle

Reducing Weight of Cardboard

As part of the initiative, short flap cardboard cartons for beverages of small size plastic bottles started from spring of 2012 based on the philosophy of reducing environmental impact in cooperation with the industry. Through this, we reduced the use of paper by about 20% compared to conventional cardboards. Short flap cardboards have been introduced for beer and RTD products since 2019.

Short flap cardboard cartons that reduce
cardboard usage on its sides

Reuse: Promoting Collection and Reuse of Containers

Reusing Glass Bottles and Barrels

Returnable containers (bottles, barrels) for beers and non-alcoholic beverages for restaurants are used often and we collect them via our own route and wash them for repeated use. Furthermore, we support the collection of glass bottles that are disposed of by liquor stores and restaurants through building collection routes in the distribution channel by specialized business operators since 1974.
One-way bottles are collected through effective sorting and collection routes by municipalities and other organizations.

Recycle: Easier-to-Collect Containers

The World’s First 100% Recycled Aluminum Can

Suntory Spirits Ltd. (Suntory) launched the world’s first 100% recycled aluminum can^*1 in its limited editions of The Premium Malt’s CO₂ Reduction Can (350ml, 5.5% ABV) and The Premium Malt’s 〈Kaoru〉 Ale CO₂ Reduction Can (350ml, 6% ABV) in September 2022. This first of its kind 100% recycled aluminum can^*1 was jointly developed by UACJ Corporation and Toyo Seikan Group Holdings, Ltd. and emits 60% less CO₂ compared to when creating a regular aluminum can^*2.

*1

First as a commercialized SOT (Stay On Tabs) can which uses only recycled aluminum derived from canned materials (based on research by Toyo Seikan Group and UACJ, as of July 2022)
*2

350ml beverage aluminum can produced by Toyo Seikan using UACJ aluminum material

Shifting to Recycled Paper Containers

Paper containers were introduced for shochu and spirits in April 2010 and for wines in February 2014. Approximately 90% of the containers for alcoholic beverages have been changed to more recyclable paper containers.^*1
We have been using containers with evaporated aluminum on its inside for preserving quality but it was difficult to separate paper and aluminum when recycling. The new paper container implements vapor deposition of non-aluminum transparent material to improve ease of recycling.

*1

As of April 2023

"Suntory Umeshu" "Delica Maison"

Achieved 100% Use of FSC^®-certified Cardboard

The Suntory Group is gradually adopting paper packaging materials that have acquired the FSC certification^*1 that ensures proper management of international forests for products made in Japan. Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. introduced FSC-certified cardboard packaging to Suntory Tennensui mineral water for products manufactured from August 2017. Since the end of February 2018, we have achieved 100% use of FSC-certified cardboard used for packaging all our Suntory Tennensui brand products. We are promoting the use of FSC-certified paper packaging materials throughout the Group with the sequential adoption of these materials for Suntory Spirits Ltd. products and as packaging for six packs.

FSC certification mark on cardboard

*1

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international organization that certifies timber produced from forests globally as well as the distribution and manufacturing processes of the cut timber. This certification considers the environmental conservation of these forests and recognizes timber produced in an economical and sustainable manner which generates revenue for the local community. This certification considers the environmental conservation of these forests and recognizes timber produced in an economical and sustainable manner which generates revenue for the local community.

Promoting waste reduction and recycling

As part of our efforts toward establishing a recycling-oriented society, Suntory is working to reduce emissions of by-products and waste and to achieve 100% recycling.

By-products and Waste Generation Performance

Area	Amount of discharge (thousand tons)
Area	2019	2020	2021
Japan	251	228	218
Americas	193	156	410
Europe	113	95	119
Asia	32	32	30
Oceania	5	7	7
Africa	0	0	0
Total	594	518	783★

*

Data covers 27 production plants in Japan and 64 production plants overseas
*

The increase in emissions in the Americas is due to the addition of waste and by-products to be included from FY2021. The amount of the waste and by-products increased by 238 thousand tons due to the addition.
*

Therein, the byproducts and waste generated by Suntory Beverage & Food Group companies in Japan and overseas amount to 148 thousand tons★
*

Results have received independent assurance from KPMG AZSA Sustainability Co., Ltd. The assured numerical values are indicated with ★.

Independent assurance report

Promoting the Recycling of Waste

We are committed to reducing the by-products and waste generated in the manufacturing processes at Suntory Group plants in Japan, and to recycling 100% of resources.
In 2021, our plants in Japan (including Group companies) generated 217,925 tons of byproducts and waste. This means total waste generated is the same and by-products and waste amount per unit of production decreased by 7.5% compared to 2021.
Suntory Beverage & Food Europe is working to reduce and recycle waste with the goal of achieving zero waste from its plants. We have also set a goal of reducing food waste from our products by 50%. As part of our efforts to achieve this goal, we donate surplus products to charitable organizations to help those suffering from poverty.

Recycling Rate of Japanese Plants and Flow for reuse of by-products and waste generated in each production process

	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Amount of discharge (thousand ton)	258	258	251	228	218
Amount recycled (thousand ton)	258	258	251	228	217
recycling rate (%)	100.0	100.0	99.9	100.0	99.7

By-products and Waste generation, recycling rate and the purpose of use for recycled products

Type of waste	Main Purpose of Use	2017		2018		2019		2020		2021
Type of waste	Main Purpose of Use	Generation (t)	Recycling Rate (%)	Generation (t)	Recycling Rate (%)	Generation (t)	Recycling Rate (%)	Generation (t)	Recycling Rate (%)	Generation (t)	Recycling Rate (%)
Vegetable (glycation, tea, coffee dregs, etc.)	- Animal feed - Fertilizer	195,334	100	187,818	100	181,524	100	164,185	100	159,273	100
Sludge (excess sludge, etc.)	- Fertilizer	30,351	100	30,472	100	31,245	100	30,275	100	27,337	100
Wood waste (cask, palletes)	- Animal feed - Fertilizer	1,314	100	4,435	100	2,458	100	5,186	100	5,267	100
Glass and ceramic scrap	- Glass materials - Base course material	3,508	100	3,216	100	2,825	100	2,285	100	1,337	100
Paper scraps (cardboards, paper labels, etc.)	- Recycled paper - Cardboard materials	6,349	100	6,228	100	6,429	100	5,520	100	5,508	100
Plastic	- Palette - Solid fuel - Supplementary fuel	5,918	100	6,138	100	6,338	100	6,033	100	5,796	100
Metal scraps (aluminum, steel)	- Aluminum - Steel ingredients	2,958	100	3,240	100	3,270	100	3,314	100	3,506	100
Other		12,632	100	16,405	100	17,365	100	11,558	100	9,903	93
Total		258,365	100	257,951	100	251,454	100	228,355	100	217,925	99.7

*

Data covers 27 production plants in Japan

Applications of recycled materials

We are furthering resource recycling for the by-products and waste produced by the Suntory Group in various applications.

Barrel cabinet
Dining Set "TARURU"
Drink sampling tray made from barrel

Building a Recycling Circulation Cycle for Food Waste -- Izutsu Maisen Co., Ltd.

Izutsu Maizumi Co., Ltd. is actively working to reduce and reuse food waste so as not to waste the precious gifts of nature. One predominate initiative is the setup of a recycling circulation cycle for the crusts of bread.
Izutsu Maisen cuts off the crusts of the bread when they make their popular fried pork cutlet sandwiches. These bread crusts are generally given to business operators who are able to recycle them as feed, but Izutsu Maisen launched their original Amai-Yuwaku pork brand that raises pigs on this feed in 2012 because the crusts are perfect as feed. This is an initiative that uses the bread crusts once again in a cycle as a raw material such as in the pork cutlets once.

Original Amai-Yuwaku pork brand

Packaging & Resource Efficiency