Interview
Cleared durability concerns.
Communicate the appropriateness of your efforts by visualizing the reduction of environmental impact.
- Company nameAleph Corporation (Bikkuri Donkey)
- Industryeating and drinking
- Applications Garbage bags, printed materials
- URLAleph's SDGs
- [Issue].
- Seeking specific measures to achieve the company-wide goals of reducing CO₂ emissions by 46% or more from the fiscal 2013 level by 2030 and becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
- In publishing the corporate book, consider switching to a new material that can withstand long-term use and uses less water during production compared to conventional paper.
- Product Adopted
- Corporate book
- Garbage bags (LimeAir Bag)
- [Effects
- Corporate book: Reduced water consumption by approximately 17 tons*, and in the production of this book, achieved carbon offset of approximately 1.9 tons of CO₂ emissions related to the production of printed materials.
- Garbage bags: Expected to reduce annual use of petroleum-based plastics by approximately 27% and greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂, by approximately 23%*.
*Rough estimate by TBM (raw material procurement to incineration), compared to 100% HDPE. Subject to change depending on manufacturing conditions, etc. These are reference values, not guaranteed values.
ALEPH Co., Ltd. is a company that operates restaurant businesses, including the BIKKURI DONKEY hamburger steak restaurant. In addition to providing experiences that fill people’s bodies and souls with smiles through food, the company is actively promoting efforts to realize a sustainable society by setting its own action guidelines, action goals, and action plans, aiming to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
In this interview, we asked the company about the background of its newly introduced “Corporate Book” and “Garbage Bags” and their effects as one of its initiatives.
Management Strategies Linked to the SDGs
What is your mission regarding sustainability and what is your specific policy on sustainability initiatives?
Mr. ALEPH: We have incorporated the SDG targets into our management strategy through 2030, and have divided our activities into three categories: “positive,” “negative,” and “neutral. We also aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 46% from the fiscal 2013 level by 2030 and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Our first practical initiative was the introduction of food waste disposers in our stores in 1997 and the start of recycling. We have also been working to reduce material waste since the early 2000s, for example by reusing wooden plates used for hamburger dishes and other dishes instead of discarding them even if they are scratched. In recent years, the reduction of plastic waste has become a global goal, and we are making efforts to meet national policies.
SDGs Report 2024: https://www.aleph-inc.co.jp/_data/2024_aleph_sdgs_rep.pdf
Novelty of using little or no water
What made you decide to introduce LIMEX?
Mr. ALEPH: When our company was looking for an alternative to paper and plastic materials around 2020, we learned about LIMEX, which is mainly made of limestone, and paid attention to it. We had seen many examples of its use in business cards, and we felt its novelty and rarity in that it uses less water than existing options such as FSC-certified paper and recycled materials. *
*LIMEX Sheet, compared to plain paper, uses almost no water resources required during production and does not use wood pulp as a raw material for its products, thus contributing to the conservation of forest resources. In addition, compared to PP and PET sheets, LIMEX Sheet can reduce greenhouse gases including CO₂ and the use of petroleum-derived plastics.
No problem with durability, which was my concern.
How did you proceed with the introduction of garbage bags, and what were the key points you considered when doing so?
Mr. ALEPH: We examined the durability of the material, its cost, and its impact on our operations. At first, we were concerned about the durability of the material compared to conventional products, but after repeated testing at experimental stores, we determined that the material could be used without any problems. The product is now being used in stores nationwide with no operational problems.
You also introduced LIMEX as a corporate book. Please tell us about the background and evaluation points.
ALEPH: We wanted to completely revamp our corporate brochure. When we decided to completely renew our corporate brochure, we wanted to focus not only on the means of conveying information, but also on the material itself, and we decided to introduce the new paper because of its durability, feel, and resistance to tearing. The cost difference with FSC-certified mixed paper was acceptable, and we decided that it would be more beneficial in the long run.
Stable supply was an absolute prerequisite for introduction.
What were the points of particular importance within your company when you finally introduced LIMEX?
Mr. ALEPH: The key point to introduce a new product is not only its quality, but also a production system that can ensure a stable supply. We decided to introduce the new product based on the judgment that a sufficient supply system had been established in this regard.
In addition, we needed to confirm whether the material of the garbage bags complied with the collection rules of each municipality when we disposed of them, but we understood from the materials provided by your company that we could use the bags with confidence.
*Municipalities without designated bags generally specify “clear” or “translucent” trash bags, and LimeAir Bag has an opacity level comparable to that of common 100% HDPE (translucent).
Visualization of effects communicates the value and significance of initiatives. A communication tool to convey environmental responsiveness.
In your release, you quantitatively communicate your environmental efforts using numerical values. How is this appreciated within the company?
ALEPH: In order to realize our corporate mission of “developing businesses that care for nature,” we believe it is important to use objective common evaluation criteria, and I think it is very significant to visualize the effects of reducing environmental impact using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Recently, some have pointed out the risk of being criticized as “greenwashing” when communicating efforts to address environmental issues. However, I feel that objective data will make it easier to demonstrate the validity and rationale of our efforts both internally and externally.
What kind of reactions have you received from your employees and business partners who have actually used the product since its introduction?
ALEPH: When we give out our corporate book, some people notice that it has a completely different tactile feel than conventional paper. The description of LIMEX on the back cover caught their attention, and we sometimes receive positive feedback such as, “It feels different and interesting from paper.
Considering expansion into new areas
How do you intend to utilize LIMEX in the future?
Mr. ALEPH: We are currently using this material for corporate books and garbage bags, but we feel that there is great potential for other applications such as cooking utensils and equipment. For example, we are currently exploring possibilities to meet on-site needs, such as microwave-safe containers and plastic products that require high durability.
Aleph Corporation, which operates a variety of restaurant businesses including BIKKURI DONKEY, has incorporated sustainability into its management strategy and is promoting environmental considerations in a wide range of areas from restaurant operations to corporate tools. TBM will continue to support Aleph Corporation’s efforts to promote social sustainability in the restaurant industry.
FAQ
I want a price list.
Please fill out the inquiry form and let us know the product you are looking for.
How long will it take to deliver?
Clear files and business cards can be delivered within the same delivery time as regular products. For more information, please contact us using our inquiry form.
I’d like to know how to dispose of LIMEX after use.
[For Businesses]
When disposing of LIMEX as business waste, please treat it as industrial waste. LIMEX products are flammable. Please dispose of them in accordance with your local municipality’s rules.
[For Consumers]
LIMEX products are flammable. When disposing of them, please follow your local municipality’s rules.
*Do not mix LIMEX products with recycled paper. For more information, please see here.
I’d like to receive a LIMEX sample.
Please contact us using this inquiry form.
I’m looking to be involved in the sales and development of LIMEX products.
TBM is always looking for partners to sell and develop LIMEX products. Please contact us using this inquiry form.
