Environmental Initiatives
Zensho takes action to assume responsibility for the impact that our business activities make on the global environment. On top of the main issues that are closely associated with our business domains such as the conservation of natural resources and use of leftover food, we are working to ensure the sustainability of both our business domains and the global environment in and of itself through initiatives such as utilizing clean energy.
Reduction of Food Loss
At the Zensho Group’s restaurant chain Hama-sushi, we have Introduced straight-lane conveyor belts. We are also working to reduce food loss by serving items ordered on touch panels directly to customers.
Installing Energy-saving Equipment
At Zensho, we are strategically replacing the air conditioning and lighting in our retail locations and plants with energy-saving equipment. By focusing on replacing air conditioners that are over 10 years old with the latest versions, we have reduced our energy consumption by 30% or more.
Solar Power Generation
Zensho Clean Energy Co., Ltd. was established in 2012, and we have been involved in solar power generation since 2013. Solar panels are currently installed on the roofs of 242 Hama-sushi locations and Zensho’s Kansai Plant, generating approximately 8 million kilowatts of electricity per year.
Utilizing Waste Oil (Refining & Utilizing Recycled Fuels)
We refine biomass fuel from the beef tallow created as a byproduct of the process of making gyudon beef bowls and utilize this as fuel for boilers at the North Kanto Plant of GFF, one of the Group’s manufacturing companies. These boilers are the first in Japan that are designed to run exclusively on biomass fuels from beef tallow (animal fat and oils).
Eel Foundation
The Eel Foundation focuses on ensuring the preservation of eel as part of Japan’s traditional food culture and protecting eel resources by collaborating with specialists and related organizations in conducting ecological research and initiatives for complete eel farming technology.
Sustainable Palm Oil Procurement
Palm oil, extracted from the fruit of the oil palm tree, is widely used in processed foods and other everyday products. However, in some palm oil producing regions, various problems have been pointed out, including environmental issues such as the deforestation of tropical forests due to plantation development, and human rights issues related to plantation workers.
Zensho Group announced in February 2024,
We have joined the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). We use RSPO-certified oil, which guarantees sustainability, in the preparation of some products at our group stores.
