Resource Circulation & Waste Management

Policies

The NISSIN FOODS Group works to achieve zero emission status by reducing product loss that occurs in manufacturing processes and promoting recycling. Food residues, which make up the bulk of waste from our plants, are reused in animal feed and as fertilizers. We are also reducing sludge by improving wastewater treatment facilities and recycling mixed waste. At manufacturing plants in Japan, achieving a waste recycling rate of 99.5% or higher every year up till FY 3/2031 is set as our target.

To reduce environmental impact of our product manufacturing processes, the Group established the Basic Policy on Environmentally Friendly Container and Packaging Design.
Under this policy, we invest in limiting and reusing waste, encouraging the use of recycled resources, and undertaking research and development of alternative materials.
To properly carry out the disposal of industrial waste, we have also established the Industrial Waste Manual and ensure its thorough compliance. For manufacturing plants in Japan, we conduct audits on the state of waste management (quantity, identification of types, etc.) based on in-house standards. The audit results are shared with manufacturing plants in Japan to help continuously improve the state of waste disposal.
In addition, toward reducing product loss and encouraging recycling, we also conduct training and internal awareness-raising measures for employees to raise awareness about waste reduction.

Basic Policy on Environmentally Friendly Container and Packaging Design

1. Promoting the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycling) to help create a recycling-based society

1) Reduce (reduction of waste generation): Aim to reduce container weight and volume and the number of packaging items.
2) Reuse: Actively pursue development of refill products. Propose reusable containers.
3) Recycle (use of recycled materials): Actively use recycled raw materials and resources. Strive to use highly recyclable materials.

2. Environmental impacts: Avoid use of materials that may have negative effects on the human body or the environment. Promote use of biomass raw materials, which have a low environmental impact.

3. Consideration of design: Give consideration to environment- and people-friendly, easy-to-understand labeling and universal design.

4. Assessment of environmental impacts: Design containers and packaging on the basis of life cycle assessment (LCA), giving consideration to environmental impacts from raw materials to disposal.

Targets

The NISSIN FOODS Group has set the following targets regarding resource circulation and the introduction of environmentally friendly plastic containers and packaging.

[Targets by FY 3/2031]

・Maintenance of waste recycling rate of 99.5% or higher in the production processes of plants in Japan*1
・Reduction of waste generated in the sale and distribution stages by 50% in Japan*2
・Use of environmentally friendly containers and packaging*3 for all products*4
・Reduction of total amount of petroleum-derived plastics in containers and packaging per unit sales by at least 20%*5

*1For Group companies in Japan
*2For waste generated in the sale and distribution stages, against levels in FY 3/2016
*3Such as reducing the weight and use of containers, using biomass, paper, and recycled materials, and promoting material recycling and chemical recycling
*4For Group companies in Japan and overseas, against levels in FY 3/2019
*5For NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS, against levels in FY 3/2019

Development and Improvement of Containers and Packaging

Based on our Basic Policy on Environmentally Friendly Container and Packaging Design, the NISSIN FOODS Group works on reducing the weight and use of containers as well as undertakes research and development of packaging with less environmental impact.

In our environmental strategy EARTH FOOD CHALLENGE 2030, we have set the target of “Complete with Green Packaging” and established numerical targets related to environmentally friendly containers and packaging. We will use the Group’s alternative material technologies to promote efficient use of limited resources toward achieving the targets. In addition, we will promote the spread of renewable energy and container recycling by accelerating research and development related to containers and packaging.

Since January 2019, NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS has been participating as a secretary company in the Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA), a public-private collaboration organization that undertakes the sustainable use of plastic products and development of alternative materials. In 2022, we joined CLOMA’s working group aimed at reducing waste, and we are part of a demonstration experiment for large-scale collection of plastic containers. As part of the working group’s activities, we also signed a partnership agreement in 2023 with Kobe City in Hyogo Prefecture for a project that collects and recycles containers for lactic acid bacteria beverages. These containers, made using polystyrene, are collected through resource collection stations. Besides being used for verification of technologies for material processing and productization, the collected containers help to advance initiatives for establishing collection methods for used polystyrene and recycling them.

Plastic Reduction Initiatives

In June 2021, NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS abolished the plastic sticker for closing the cover of CUP NOODLES. This allows us to reduce the use of plastic raw materials by 41 tons in total*. The company switched to a new double-tab cover that allows the cover to be properly closed without a sticker. In addition, the company has been selling OWAN DE TABERU CUP NOODLES and OWAN DE TABERU CHICKEN RAMEN,, which is a set combining a small number of noodles with ingredients since 2017. It can help reduce domestic waste after eating as it allows the taste of CUP NOODLES and CHICKEN RAMEN to be enjoyed by using small bowls found at home and just pouring hot water. Currently, the OWAN DE TABERU series are available for a total of seven products in the CHICKEN RAMEN, CUP NOODLES, and NISSIN NO DONBEI series.

*The total weight of the plastic sticker used for the regular and large sizes of CUP NOODLES.

NISSIN FROZEN FOODS has nearly completely phased out the use of plastic trays in the noodle products of its proprietary brand. For pasta and yakisoba products, the company is reducing the use of plastic raw materials by placing liquid sauce directly on top of the noodles and rapidly freezing it, thereby eliminating liquid sauce packages.

In September 2020, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS started the OISHII ECO NOODLES project, which offers environmentally friendly products to customers. The project incorporates three themes—extending best-before dates, use of eco packaging, and eco-friendly preparation—and applicable products have the OISHII ECO NOODLES logo on their packaging.
For the use of eco packaging, plastic trays were eliminated for the CHUKAFUU RYANMEN and NISSIN NO ANNKAKE RAMEN series, reducing the company’s annual plastic tray use by approximately 40%.
BONCHI is switching to eco packaging and has abolished the use of plastic trays. The introduction of eco packaging helps to reduce the generation of household waste after consumption.

Example of Reducing the Quantity of Plastics Used in FY 3/2024

Reduction of annual usage (t)

Plastics
NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS	The plastic sticker for closing the cover of CUP NOODLES has been abolished	8.1
NISSIN CHILLED FOODS	The RYANMEN series eliminate plastic trays	8
NISSIN CISCO	The GOROGURA and CISCORN changes its packages	13.4
MYOJO FOODS	CHUKA ZANMAI changes its packages	4

Use of ECO Cup

The NISSIN FOODS Group is expanding the use of ECO Cup, which uses the renewable resource paper as its main raw material. Starting with the use of ECO Cup for CUP NOODLES by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS in 2008, we are increasing our usage rate of paper containers, expanding the use of ECO Cup to overseas business corporations, with China in 2009, the Americas in 2015, and Asia in 2016.
Furthermore, in December 2019, we switched the container for CUP NOODLES of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS to the Biomass ECO Cup which has even less environmental impact.

The Biomass ECO Cup is a container that achieved a biomass level of 81% by using plant-derived biomass plastics to replace a portion of the petroleum-derived plastics. In addition, the amount of petroleum-derived plastics used in each cup has been almost halved compared to the ECO Cups, reducing CO₂ emissions in the life cycle by approximately 16%.

Partly from Marine Plastics

In November 2021, NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS introduced pallets made from recycled plastic waste found at places such as beaches.
Plastic waste collected at these places before it flows into the ocean contains a lot of impurities and has deteriorated, making it extremely difficult to recycle and reuse. Therefore, most of such waste is buried in landfills. However, by combining marine plastics with other plastic raw materials in an optimal composition for recycling, the plastic pallets introduced by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS retain substantial strength.
This is the first time a Japanese company is using such pallets for product transportation and storage, and the company plans to fully switch to these pallets by 2030.

Chemically Recycled* Polystyrene Paper (PSP) Cups

NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS conducts research and development of containers aimed at effectively using resources and reducing waste. In February 2024, we succeeded in prototyping a chemically recycled PSP cup, which is a first for instant noodle containers. Chemically recycled materials are used for the PSP cup to help effectively use resources.

*Chemical recycling is a process where used polystyrene products that were collected are broken down chemically and recycled into chemical substances such as styrene.

Usage Rate of Paper Containers and Packaging*1: FY 3/2021: 62.9%
FY 3/2022: 63.4%
FY 3/2023: 62.4%
FY 3/2024: 62.0%*2

*1Ratio of paper containers and packaging used in the containers and packaging of NISSIN FOODS PRODUCTS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS based on the Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging
*2Total weight of 72,798 tons in FY 3/2024

Reduction of Packaging Materials

The NISSIN FOODS Group uses cardboard for packaging materials, and at the same time, reduces the amount of packaging materials used by optimizing the sizes of product containers. We also adopt an alternating top-up, top-down configuration which allows the same number of products to be packed in smaller cases.
In addition, we promote the adoption of cardboard that uses FSC®* certified paper and procurement that allows limited resources to be used effectively.

*Abbreviation of the Forest Stewardship Council®, a program that strives for proper management of forest as well as the use and conservation of sustainable forest resources

Example of Reducing the Quantity of Cardboard Used in FY 3/2024

Annual amount of material reduction effect (tons)

Cardboard
NISSIN CISCO	Review of cardboard sizes for GORO GURA, COCONUT SABLE and CHOCO FLAKES	26.9

Reduction of Food Loss

NISSIN CHILLED FOODS uses its original manufacturing methods that maintain good taste for long periods to extend the best-before dates of products and contribute toward reducing food loss.

Manufacturing Method for Maintaining Good Taste of Fresh Noodles for Long Periods (Patent Application Filed)

This method maintains fresh noodles’ unique flavor and supple springiness while extending the previous best-before date from 20 days to either 60 or 70 days.

Manufacturing Method for Maintaining Good Taste of Steamed Noodles for Long Periods (Patent Application Filed)

This method extends the previous best-before date from 15 days to either 20 or 27 days without losing the chewy texture and ease of loosening during preparation.

Manufacturing Method for Maintaining Fresh Noodles at Room Temperature for Long Periods (Patent Application Filed)

This method maintains fresh noodles’ unique wheat flavor and springiness while achieving a long best-before date of 50 days, which is longer than that of usual chilled-type fresh noodles.

2014	NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS and MYOJO FOODS	・Cup-type noodles: 5 months → 6 months ・Bag-type instant noodles: 6 months → 8 months
2019	BONCHI	・BONCHIAGE, PEANUT AGE, TSUNA AGE ARARE, and PONSUKE: 150 days → 180 days ・AJI KARUTA and KARASHI MENTAIKO OOGATA AGESEN: 120 days → 150 days (except for certain products)
2020	Nissin Foods (Thailand)	・Bag-type instant noodles in the 10-baht price range: 6 months → 8 months
2020	NISSIN CHILLED FOODS	・Fresh noodle products: 20 days → 40 days ・Steamed noodle products: 15 or 20 days → 27 days
2023	NISSIN CHILLED FOODS	・GYORETSU NO DEKIRU MISE NO RAMEN: 40 days → 60 days ・MEN NO TATSUJIN NAMA RAMEN: 50 days → 70 days
2023	NISSIN YORK	・PILKUL 400 series, PILKUL MIRACLE CARE 65ml×8, TOKACHI DRINK YOGURT series, MAINICHI NOMU KETSUATSU CARE YOGURT, HIZA ACTIVE 65ml×6, the APPLE LACTIC ACID BACTERIA 900g: 18 days → 21 days ・PILKUL MIRACLE CARE 195ml：25days → 28 days

As part of its efforts to reduce waste in the sales and distribution area, the Group donates products that are approaching their expiration date to food banks.

Support for Poverty through Product Donations

Prevention of Air Pollution

Response to Air Pollutants

Each NISSIN FOODS Group plant has set voluntary standards more rigorous than those stipulated in laws, regulations, and ordinances for sulfur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are causes of air pollution, as well as for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD), which are indicators of water pollution. Plants monitor the state of pollution based on their voluntary standards. Also, we have formulated an emergency response procedures manual to prepare against damage to plant facilities and outflow of environmental pollutants into the surrounding area and periodically conduct drills that envision emergency situations.

Response to Fluorocarbon

We carry out proper processing of fluorocarbons in accordance with laws and regulations, based on the Act on Rational Use and Proper Management of Fluorocarbons (Fluorocarbon Emissions Control Act) that came into effect in April 2015. Plants directly managed by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS* use fluorocarbons as coolants for air-conditioning equipment, cooling devices, and such. Simple inspections to prevent fluorocarbon leakage are conducted quarterly, and periodic inspections are performed by external specialist organizations once every three years.In addition, the Shizuoka Plant of NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS, NISSIN F.D. FOODS, and SAITAMA NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS introduce equipment using natural refrigerants (ammonia and CO₂) when replacing freezers and refrigerators.

*NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS (Kanto Plant, Shizuoka Plant, Kansai Plant, Shiga Plant, Shimonoseki Plant)

Other Initiatives

Eco-friendly Preparation

We promote environmentally friendly preparation methods, such as requiring less water during preparation or reducing CO₂ emissions when boiling water. For example, a unique technology was adopted for NISSIN NO RAMENYA-SAN, and FRY PAN HITOTSU DE that allows them to be prepared without the need to drain boiled water. Besides using less water for boiling, there is no need to separately prepare hot water for the soup. The amount of water used is reduced by approximately one-third compared to products with the need to drain boiled water, and CO₂ emissions from boiling water can also be reduced.
We also sell products that reduce the amount of water used or CO₂ emitted during preparation, including NISSIN SONO MANMA UDON NOODLES that can be eaten simply by pouring sauce or broth over the noodles.
In addition, the Frozen KANZEN MEAL CUP NOODLES Mysterious Meat Fried Rice being sold by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS is prepared in a microwave oven as-is in its bag, using packaging and containers that allows the product to be eaten without the need for plates. This eliminates the need to wash dishes and helps to reduce the use of water.

Appropriate Disposal of Waste

The NISSIN FOODS Group has established the Industrial Waste Manual and ensures its thorough compliance. When signing outsourcing agreements with waste disposal operators, we clearly state that we check and assess contractors’ sites using our own checklist before signing the agreement as well as annually when the agreement is in effect. The details stated in agreements are checked by the Legal Division or Sustainability Development Division of NISSIN FOODS HOLDINGS before being signed.
In addition, waste manifests, waste quantities, and other information are properly managed by the Sustainability Promotion Division.

Recycling of Containers and Packaging

In Japan, companies that use containers and packaging are obligated to recycle their materials under the Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging. NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS, MYOJO FOODS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, NISSIN FROZEN FOODS, NISSIN CISCO, NISSIN YORK, and BONCHI outsource the recycling of containers and packaging to the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association, and pay recycling operation contract fees for paper/plastic containers and packaging in accordance with the weight of products manufactured and sold. Collected recyclable materials sorted from municipal household garbage are used to produce such things as pallets, imitation wooden logs, benches, and reconstituted paperboard by companies outsourced by the association.

Related Information and Data

Waste

Food Waste

*Food waste data does not include the amount of waste from logistics warehouses (mainly food waste).

Amount of Plastic/Paper Containers and Packaging Governed by Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging and Costs of Disposal Outsourcing (FY 3/2018 to FY 3/2024)*

*Scope NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS, NISSIN CHILLED FOODS, and NISSIN FROZEN FOODS

Plastic Use and Recycling

	FY 3/2020	FY 3/2021	FY 3/2022	FY 3/2023	FY 3/2024
Plastic use*1 (1,000 tons)	16.9	16.5	17.3	16.7	16.1
Percentage of recyclable plastic packaging *2	46%	47%	46%	47%	47%
Percentage of compostable plastic packaging	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%
Percentage of recycled materials in plastic packaging	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%

*1Amount of plastic used by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS in product containers and packaging
*2Percentage of plastic in single-material packaging materials used by NISSIN FOOD PRODUCTS in product containers and packaging