August 30, 2007

7-Eleven Japan to recycle unsold food products for animal feed

7-Eleven Japan Co said Wednesday (August 29) that starting this Saturday (September 1) it will recycle unsold food products at its convenience store chain in Tokyo into feed for livestock.

Japan's biggest convenience store chain has tied up with AgriGaia System Co in Yachimata, Chiba Prefecture, which will send trucks to all of some 1,000 7-Eleven outlets in Tokyo daily day to collect food products unsold beyond expiry dates.

7- Eleven Japan President Toshiro Yamaguchi said the programme will consider using meat from pigs and chickens fed and other unsold food to "establish a recycle loop." As of 2006, the store has already 11,730 convenience outlets and generates some 15 kilograms of garbage per day.