Environmental initiatives｜Environment｜ESG ｜Sustainability

Environmental policy of Mitsubishi Shokuhin and its related companies

Basic environmental policy

Mitsubishi Shokuhin and its related companies will strive to optimize food distribution, preserve the environment, and achieve a sustainable society to ensure stable living conditions and the affluence of the society for the sake of future generations.

Corporate Mission

Management

For effective initiatives to protect the environment, we set and operate 2030 targets based on Key Sustainability Issues and strive for continuous improvement and prevention of contamination.
Compliance

Comply with environmental laws and regulations and conduct activities in an eco-friendly manner.
We also comply with other requirements that the organization has agreed to.
Business activities

With the wide cooperation and collaboration of related parties, we strive for reduction of environmental impact caused by food distribution as well as for conservation and efficient use of resources, and actively work to solve issues.
Communication

We thoroughly inform the staff at Mitsubishi Shokuhin and its related companies about this environmental policy and promote environmental awareness and practice on an individual basis and disclose the environmental policy to the public.

Internal control system

We have established the Sustainability Committee and Compliance Committee and are working on environmental issues company-wide.

Legal compliance

We strive to comply with the Basic Act on the Environment and other relevant laws and regulations including the Act on the Rational Use of Energy, Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, Food Recycling Act, Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act, Act on Promotion of Global Warming Countermeasures, Food Sanitation Act, and Fire Service Act.

Response to Climate Change

Our Group is committed to reducing energy consumption in the operation of logistics centers by appropriately replacing equipment with high energy-saving performance. Additionally, we are working to reduce CO2 emissions through the creation of renewable energy via solar power generation, the introduction of environmentally friendly electricity, and the use of non-fossil certificates to achieve virtually renewable energy.
Through these measures, our Group aims to align with the Paris Agreement’s 1.5℃ target, reducing CO2 emissions by 60% compared to FY2016 levels by FY2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Furthermore, Mitsubishi Shokuhin has adopted the concept of Internal Carbon Pricing（ICP） for energy-saving equipment investments. In investment plans for energy-using equipment, we have set an ICP of 14,300 yen per ton of CO2, converting CO2 emissions into a virtual cost. This makes it easier to select equipment that contributes to reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, thereby promoting the introduction of energy-saving equipment.

Examples of CO2 Reduction Efforts

(1) Switch to environmentally friendly power contracts

For all electricity in the nine areas nationwide, for FY2022 contracts we have switched to environmentally friendly electricity with a CO2 emission factor of zero.

CO2 emission reductions (estimated for FY2022): approx. 30,000 tons
(2) Pilot introduction of environmentally friendly vehicles

At the consolidated subsidiary Carytech Corporation a distribution operator, two nonfossil fuel vehicles equipped with electric motors and lithium-ion batteries have been introduced on a pilot basis.

Driving range: 100 km (fully charged)
(3) Switch from dry ice to cold storage material

At some shipment points in the Kanto region,a portion (70%) of dry ice used during delivery has been replaced with a reusable cold storage material.

Mitsubishi Shokuhin CO2 Emissions Reduction 2030 Target

Compared to FY2016 - 60 %

Initiatives for Reducing Food Waste

The Group is promoting initiatives to reduce food waste and food loss throughout the entire food supply chain through collaboration with business partners. This includes supporting initiatives to ensure that products in stores sell out and reviewing business practices, such as the relaxation of delivery deadlines and standards. Moreover, starting February 2022, we introduced an inventory optimization solution that uses AI-based demand forecasting for the order fulfillment operations of some of our dedicated centers for business partners, with the goal of reducing excess inventory volume* by approximately 30%.

*Merchandise purchased for selling purposes that has not been sold in accordance with initial forecasts and has remained unsold at the distribution center for a certain period of time or longer

Mitsubishi Shokuhin Food Waste Reduction 2030 Target

Compared to FY2016 - 50 %

Resource Utilization

We are striving to reduce the amount of plastic used in our original products as well as some products developed for our customers. Also, to use resources effectively, we are pushing ahead with contracts to sell valuable materials to recycling companies so that unnecessary cardboard and such can be used as materials for reusable products.

Switching to eco-friendly packaging materials

For some of our original products and products that we sell as a general sales agent, we are gradually working on the development of eco-friendly products, such as products with simplified packaging and products that weigh less, so that we can address environmental issues such as resource depletion and environmental pollution.