Fukuchiyama City, the Manufacturing Innovation Division of Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Panasonic Production Engineering Corporation (hereafter referred to as the Panasonic Group) have agreed and signed a collaboration agreement to promote SDGs initiatives and build a circular society through the development of school lunch tableware for 23 Fukuchiyama municipal elementary and junior high schools.
'kinari'*, a 100% recyclable material developed by the Panasonic Group that reduces petroleum-derived materials, is expanding its use in reusable cups, cutlery and buttons, along with many enquiries from environmentally conscious companies.
We are now working with Fukuchiyama City, which is promoting initiatives for the SDGs and working towards a circular society, to reduce environmental impact through the commercialisation of unique environmentally-friendly tableware. Furthermore, through field trials in elementary and junior high schools, we aim to improve the tableware so that it is safe, secure and easy to use, and to introduce it into actual use.
The fibre material used for kinari is made from thinned wood from forests in Fukuchiyama City, to help elementary and junior high school students understand environmental issues, rediscover the attractiveness of local resources and foster civic pride.
In the future, joint efforts will be made not only in school lunches but also in other areas, with the aim of providing solutions to local problems and promoting sustainable social development.
*'kinari' is a material developed by the Panasonic Group using the proprietary technology for mixing cellulose fibre into resin at a high concentration of 55% or more.
■Outline of joint initiatives
Innovation of school lunch - "Focusing on the educational significance of school lunch tableware from the perspective of the SDGs and local production"
2022
〇Start of initiatives to develop 'human- and eco-friendly school lunch tableware' made from plant fibres
〇Improvements to tableware that is easier for elementary and junior high school students to use
〇Various tests: Safety, convenience (ease of use, weight), durability, etc.
〇Use of wood from Fukuchiyama City (thinned wood) as raw material
〇Creation of teaching materials for forest environment studies
〇Plan for the commercialisation of school lunch tableware
2023
〇Practice of environmental education
〇Start of use of new school lunch tableware
〇Expansion of initiatives into areas other than school lunch
[Press release]
https://news.panasonic.com/jp/press/data/2022/06/jn220606-1/jn220606-1.html
Release date: 6 June 2022