Aeon targets 100% food recycling rate by 2040

Aeon Co., Ltd. has announced a new environmental target to achieve a 100% food recycling rate by the end of fiscal year 2040. The company aims to minimize the amount of food waste sent to incineration or landfills to as close to zero as possible.

To reach this goal, Aeon will focus on the utilization of inedible food parts, such as vegetable peels, cores, and fish bones, which currently account for approximately 47% of its food waste. The company has set incremental milestones for its recycling rate: 70% by 2030, 85% by 2035, and 100% by 2040.

As a model case, Aeon is launching a regional circular economy project in Iwate Prefecture involving 21 stores. This initiative will involve composting approximately 300 tons of annual food waste to be used at the Aeon Agri Creation Iwate Hanamaki Farm for broccoli cultivation. The project also includes testing the use of compost by local farmers for growing hops and barley for private brand beer development.