Kyoto City is calling on restaurants to "use reusable tableware instead of plastic containers" at the sales stage and "use biomass plastic products when using them. Biomass plastic is made from plant-derived raw materials such as corn and sugarcane, and is a next-generation material that has the advantages of reducing CO₂ emissions and being produced from sustainable, renewable resources, unlike fossil resources that will one day run out.

During the month or two that Kyoto Prefecture imposed a state of emergency, Café Uzura closed its regular business and operated as a takeout/delivery-only restaurant. This meant that they had to use a large amount of disposable plastic containers every day. Concerned that all of these containers would become garbage, and that not only their own restaurant but also other restaurants were in the same situation, they decided to study and introduce a method to reduce plastic waste.

For the lunch menu, the restaurant uses a type of lunch box made of biomass plastic that allows rice and side dishes to be served together. When informing customers of the container change, we mention that the new containers are made of biomass plastic and the restaurant's waste reduction efforts. This sometimes leads to conversations with customers about waste issues.
The restaurant has introduced reusable containers and containers containing biomass plastic, and customers are increasingly refusing to use plastic spoons and disposable chopsticks.

Osteria e Bar Polenta] started to offer take-out for the first time after the Corona disaster, but decided to offer only vacuum-packed frozen and cold dishes as a menu item because the quality of hot dishes would deteriorate if they were reheated. While searching for a better method, this highly precise container that can keep food hot and cold caught his attention.

The demand for takeout has increased considerably because meat dishes, stews, aqua pazza, and other dishes can be taken home warm and eaten with great relish.
The company plans to continue to use reusable containers instead of disposable ones from the standpoint of waste reduction, and to increase the number of compact containers that can be kept warm for easier use.

Having had the experience of serving curry using the reusable tableware provided at a Kyoto City-sponsored event, [Garnish] thought that using reusable tableware at its stores could reduce waste, and introduced food carriers and other equipment.
The idea to use food carriers was given to us by a user from India. In India, it is common to use food carriers as lunch boxes, and with advice, we selected containers similar to those used locally. The customer was pleased that it was the same style as back home, and it has been well received by other customers as well.

As citizens of Kyoto, we are aware of the need to separate and reduce waste, and even though we are a restaurant, we are not an exception to the waste problem, and through this initiative, I believe we have made our staff aware of the same issue. In anticipation of the "Law on Promotion of Resource Recycling Concerning Plastics," which will take effect in April 2022, we are considering reducing the amount of cutlery such as spoons and switching to containers made of biomass plastic in the future, as we have been providing disposable plastic containers. Since the cost of waste disposal is necessary, from the management's perspective, they hope that awareness of waste reduction will become the norm.

Biomass plastic is attracting attention as an alternative material to plastic. Many restaurants in the takeout market are switching to biomass plastic products for containers, forks, spoons, and other items. The convenience and ease of use for the consumer is also a positive point. As an environmental measure that we can easily and immediately take, we can add an eco-friendly perspective to our future restaurant selection. Some restaurants offer discounts or points for bringing your own containers. Let's enjoy the eco-friendly experience with good food and reasonable prices!

In addition to this, the Kyoto City website is currently introducing initiatives of stores that incorporate eco-friendly tableware and materials. The efforts of restaurants and popular cafes that you may be interested in are also listed.
For more information, click here.