Policy and Approach
Skylark Group promotes initiatives for eliminating petroleum-based plastics in order to realize a decarbonized society and reduce environmental impact.
- We will work to reduce the amount of plastics used in our operations.
- For disposable plastics such as containers, cutlery and straws, we will shift from petroleum-based materials to environmentally friendly materials.
- Where the use of plastics is necessary, we will use recycled and/or environmentally friendly materials.
Our Group believes that the continued provision of single-use plastic products—such as containers and packaging for delivery and take-out—has a significant negative impact not only on the global environment, but also on society. In response to this, we have designated "Plastic Countermeasures" as one of our materiality (key issues), formulated the above policy, set KPIs, and are promoting improvements through various initiatives.
Specifically, to reduce environmental impact, we are promoting the expanded use of recyclable packaging materials, such as paper-based products, for delivery and take-out containers and packaging.
Furthermore, we are advancing initiatives through the "Packaging Material Review Subcommittee," a cross-organizational body under the Group Sustainability Committee dedicated to reducing petroleum-derived plastics. This subcommittee is researching and developing alternative solutions, including the transition to more sustainable packaging made from plant-derived materials, reducing usage through charging for single-use items, and abolishing constant provision by instead asking customers if they need these items. Through these efforts, we aim to contribute to the reduction of environmental impact.
Promotion System
To reduce petroleum-derived plastics across the entire company, we have established the "Packaging Material Review Subcommittee" under the Group Sustainability Committee. Details of the subcommittee's activities and progress towards goals are reported to the Board of Directors through the Group Sustainability Committee. The Packaging Material Review Subcommittee is responsible for planning the above initiatives, extracting issues and problems that arise through verification experiments, formulating manuals, and rolling them out to all stores.
Click here for details ⇒ Sustainability Promotion System
Initiatives for Packaging Materials
We are promoting various initiatives to reduce environmental impact in delivery and takeout food containers and packaging materials.
- Expanding the use of recyclable packaging materials, including paper-based ones
- Switching to sustainable containers and packaging made from plant-derived materials with lower environmental impact
- Reducing usage through charging a fee
- Discontinuing fixed provisions and shifting to an operation that involves asking customers about their needs and preferences.
Risks and Opportunities
Indicators/KPI
For more details, see ESG Data
Plastic Usage Monitoring
Based on order and inventory data, we calculate the monthly amount, weight, cost, and petroleum-derived ratio of plastic used. Utilizing these data, each subcommittee discusses countermeasures and works to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics.
Examples of Action
Efforts to Reduce Petroleum-Based Plastics
In recent years, wide-area marine pollution caused by waste plastics and global warming have become serious environmental problems worldwide. As a company with approximately 3,000 stores nationwide, we believe that it is our social responsibility to respond quickly to these environmental challenges.
With this understanding, our company has been incrementally working to reduce petroleum-based plastic products since 2018. In particular, we are promoting the transition of disposable containers for take-out and delivery from conventional petroleum-based plastics to materials with a lower environmental impact. Specifically, in collaboration with our suppliers, we have newly developed and are progressively introducing containers made from natural materials that result in lower CO₂ emissions during production, such as talc, bagasse (made from sugarcane residue), and paper.
Progress since 2018
| August 2018 |
Announces end to use of petroleum-based disposable plastic straws |
| December 2018 |
Offering biodegradable "Skylark Biomass Straw®" made from corn |
| July 2019 |
Completed discontinuation of plastic straws in all group stores |
| December 2019 |
Converting plastic bags to biomass plastic |
| February 2020 |
Switching cutlery from petroleum-based plastics to biomass plastics |
| August 2020 |
Changed individual packaging of bamboo disposable chopsticks from plastic to paper |
| September 2020 |
Changed some take-out and delivery containers to materials with at least 50% "talc (lime)" |
| January 2022 |
Biomass straws replaced with FSC-certifiedⓇ paper straws |
| February 2022 |
Cutlery changed from biomass plastic to wood |
| December 2022 |
Received the 12th Achievement Award for Promoting Biomass Products (Japan Biomass Products Promotion Council) |
| January 2023 |
Cutlery (forks) for take-out and delivery changed to bamboo |
| January 2023 |
Charged for cutlery, plastic bags, and Mottainai packs |
Reduction Targets for Specified Plastic Products
| Usage of Take-out & Delivery Cutlery and Straws |
| 2020 Actual Usage |
156ｔ |
| 2022 Usage Target |
39ｔ(75% reduction) |
| 2023 Usage Target |
0ｔ(100% reduction)
|
Elimination of Plastic Straws
As an initiative to reduce the amount of plastics we use, as of January 2022, we are gradually replacing our existing biomass straws at each store of Skylark Group to FSC Certified Ⓡ paper straws.
Effects of Straw Switching (Amount Used)
- Reduced by 89% compared to 2018
| 2018 |
Approx. 100 million straws |
| 2019 |
Approx. 31 million straws
Abolished provision of Skylark Biomass Straws® at the drink bar and instead, are providing them only to customers who request them |
| 2020 |
Approx. 11 million straws
With the understanding and cooperation of our customers with regard to conservation of resources, the total amount of straws used is decreasing year by year |
Past Activities
Straw Specifications
- FSC Certified Ⓡ Paper straws are available for customers who order the drink bar by request
Individual Packaging of Bamboo Disposable Chopsticks Changed from Plastic to Paper
As of Saturday August 8, 2020, we changed the packaging of our bamboo disposable chopsticks from plastic to environmentally friendly paper at all Skylark Restaurants locations.
Change from Plastic Shopping Bags to Biomass Plastic
In December 2019, we changed our take-out plastic bags from petroleum-derived plastics to environmentally friendly biomass plastic.
Biomass plastics are synthetic resins made from biological resources (biomass), and the material introduced in Skylark is made from raw materials derived from plants (polylactic acid and corn).
From January 2023, we have started charging for plastic bags for take-out from the viewpoint of conserving limited resources. (5 yen per bag)
Changed Cutlery from Biomass Plastic to Wood
In February 2020, cutlery (spoons, forks, and knives) for take-out and home delivery was changed from petroleum-based plastic to biomass plastic. As an effort to further reduce plastic usage, cutlery (spoons, forks, and knives) for takeout and home delivery at each restaurant of Skylark Group was changed from biomass plastic to wood in January 2022.
Effects of
Switching Cutlery |
- Use of disposable biomass plastic cutlery reduced by 75% in 2022 compared to 2020
- Plastic use reduced by 86 tons
|
| Effects of Charging for Cutlery |
- Reduced by 75% in 2023 compared to 2022
|