Plastics are light and durable materials that make our lives more convenient, yet they are also associated with such societal issues as the problems of waste, marine plastics, and global warming.

As part of its initiatives to address the problems associated with plastics, the Nissui Group is rigorously promoting the management of plastic fishing equipment used in its fisheries and aquaculture business. For plastics used in plants of production and plastic containers and packaging for food products, we are concurrently promoting 3R+R (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, plus Renewable) activities and studying the use of alternative materials. In addition, we are committed to tackling this issue not just as a company, but through the actions of every employee. We clean up public areas around our offices as well as beaches and rivers with a shared sense of purpose, specifically:

• Giving back to the local community
• Picking up garbage that is the result of littering or that has washed ashore, including plastics, thereby preventing those things from outflowing into ocean

Nissui Group’s fundamental approach regarding the problems of marine plastics and the use of plastics was deliberated, and a policy was established.

Nissui Group Basic Policy Regarding the Problem of Plastics

We will work alongside other stakeholders to combat the problem of marine plastics as well as other global environmental issues, and to preserve the bountiful sea

1）Plastics outflowing to the ocean

Regarding plastic fishing equipment used in the fisheries and aquaculture businesses, we will prevent them from becoming microplastics and ghost gear (Note) by the use of alternative materials and assiduous management of the use of plastics

2）Waste from the production stage

We will work to reduce plastic waste from our production plants and promote recycling

3）Waste from the consumption stage

We will work to reduce the impact on the environment from our food containers and packaging, making use of plastic’s quality retention ability and other capabilities

• Reduce the amount of plastic through continued review of product design
• Use (substitute with) plant-based resources (biomass-based plastic), easily recyclable containers and packaging, and recycled material

4）Initiatives by every employee

Through participation in cleanup campaigns, employees will work to reduce plastic waste in the community, river, and sea, and preserve the marine environment

(Note) Ghost gear: Fishing equipment that is lost or abandoned and remains in the marine environment

Enactment Date： February 21, 2020

Global concern about plastic marine pollution is driven by its harmful effects on marine ecosystems and human populations. There are also societal concerns, including the low effective utilization rate of discarded plastics and poor resource recycling. In an effort to bring about positive change, Nissui is actively engaged in addressing the challenges posed by plastics through its business activities.

The Marine Environment Subcommittee

The Marine Environment Subcommittee is promoting zero emission of plastics in the marine environment.

• Monitoring of the management status of plastics used in the fisheries and aquaculture businesses, making improvements and commitments
• Investigation of the actual outflow of microplastics and promoting activities to stop such outflow
• Promoting cleanups on land and activities to collect marine debris and other waste
• Review of the use of antimicrobials in aquaculture

Sustainability Committee

• Chair: President & CEO
• Members: All of the Executive Officers and the Outside Directors
• Secretariat: Sustainability Department
• Report to: Board of Directors
• Holding frequency: Six times a year

Marine Environment Subcommittee

• Chair: Executive Officer (Deputy Marine Products Business Operating Officer)
• Members: Executive Officer (In charge of Quality Assurance Department, Customer Services Center and Sustainability Department), Executive Officer (In charge of R&D Group, Food Safety Research Department and Business Development Department, Fisheries and Aquaculture Promotion Department, Central Research Laboratory
• Secretariat: Sustainability Department
• Holding frequency: Four times a year

The Plastics Subcommittee

The Plastics Subcommittee is promoting the 3R + R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle + Renewable) of plastic resources.

• Promoting reduction and recycling of plastics at plants, at home (disposable plastic packaging) and distribution
• Participation in and cooperation with Japan Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA) and information gathering

Sustainability Committee

• Chair: President & CEO
• Members: All of the Executive Officers and the Outside Directors
• Secretariat: Sustainability Department
• Report to: Board of Directors
• Holding frequency: Six times a year

Plastics Subcommittee

• Chair: Executive Officer (In charge of Quality Assurance Department, Customer Services Center and Sustainability Department)
• Members: Executive Officer (Deputy Food Products Business Operating Officer, In charge of Production Group, Supply Chain Management Department), Consumer Products Department, Food Service Products Department, Marine Products Business Department 4, Convenience Store Sales Department, Food Products Production Promotion Department, Supply Chain Management Department, Product Research & Development Department, Sourcing and Procurement Development Department
• Secretariat: Sustainability Department
• Holding frequency: Four times a year

The targets and results specified in the long-term vision, “GOOD FOODS 2030,” and in the Medium-Term Management Plan, “GOOD FOODS Recipe1” and “GOOD FOODS Recipe2” are as follows. Our initiatives are based on three perspectives: reducing the use of plastic in containers and packaging, reducing plastic waste at the production phase, and preventing marine pollution.

[Prevention of Fishing Gear from Flowing Out into the Ocean]

Recognizing the potential risks that outflow of plastic fishing gear into the ocean poses to the marine environment and ecosystems, the Nissui Group aims to achieve zero incidents of such outflow of the fishing gear equipment used by its aquaculture and fishing companies. In the event of outflow of fishing gear into the ocean, we will strive for thorough reporting and take steps to prevent recurrence.

Report on Incidents of Fishing Gear Outflow

Scope: All consolidated companies of the Nissui Group in Japan and outside Japan (aquaculture/fishery companies only)

Click here for initiatives to prevent fishing gear from flowing out into the ocean