Japan's Chiba Prefecture Launches Registry of Businesses Promoting Food Waste Reduction

Image by teraminato. Some Rights Reserved.

Chiba Prefecture launched on December 1, 2010, a system to register businesses (restaurants and other establishments that serve food) that promote a reduction of food waste volume by encouraging people to reduce the size of their meals (portion size), finish the food they have taken and so on.

To be eligible, businesses must meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) offer small or half-portion items on their menus; (2) will pack up leftover food for customers to take home; (3) Ask customers at group events if they have finished with shared food dishes before removing them from the table; (4) display posters to raise awareness and reduce food waste; or (5) sell food in bulk so customers can choose the volume they need.

Businesses that register are given a promotional sticker to display at their entrances, announcing the fact that they are "Chiba Eco-Friendly Eating Style Promoters," and their names are posted on a list of participating shops on the official Chiba Prefecture website.

Chiba began its efforts to reduce food waste under the Chiba Prefecture Waste Reduction Plan, drawn up in September 2008, and launched the "Chiba Eco-Friendly Eating Style" project, including the new registration system, in order to reduce leftover food volumes at home and restaurants as part of the plan.

Posted: 2011/04/29 06:00:15 AM