Yoshinoya Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo, Tokyo) has developed a sustainable scheme to upcycle onion trimmings generated in its beef bowl production process. Amid growing awareness of food waste reduction, Yoshinoya collaborated with the startup ASTRA FOOD PLAN (AFP) to find a new use for non-standard food ingredients. This initiative earned them the Environmental Minister’s Award for food loss reduction for fiscal year 2024.
Upcycling Onion Trimmings, Achieving an Annual Food Waste Reduction of About 180 Tons
Yoshinoya Holdings, which uses a significant volume of onions in beef bowl production, has traditionally disposed of onion trimmings due to the specific requirements for quality and size. However, addressing this issue in partnership with AFP, Yoshinoya has utilized a specialized hot steam drying technique to convert onion trimmings into powder. This innovation enhances preservation, allowing trimmings to be reused as flavorful ingredients in various applications.
With this newly installed system at Yoshinoya’s Tokyo factory, the entire upcycling process of onion trimmings now takes place onsite, resulting in both reduced waste management costs and an annual food loss reduction equivalent to 180 tons. Through its collaboration with AFP, Yoshinoya is also expanding the market for onion powder products, including items under the brand “Gururiko.”
This initiative goes beyond mere waste reduction, aiming to establish a sustainable food material utilization model within the industry. By minimizing waste in every ingredient of its beef bowl, Yoshinoya is setting a new standard in sustainable food usage. Yoshinoya plans to continue these efforts towards a circular economy, contributing positively to sustainable resource use across the sector.