The durability issues we were concerned about have been resolved.
Visualizing the reduction of environmental impact communicates the validity of the initiative.

Management strategies linked to the SDGs

Please tell us about your sustainability mission and specific initiatives.

Lord Aleph

Our company has incorporated the SDGs goals into our business strategy until 2030, and we are carrying out our activities divided into three categories: "positive," "negative," and "neutral." Furthermore, we aim to reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 46% compared to 2013 levels by 2030, and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Our first practical initiative was introducing food waste disposers to our stores in 1997 to begin recycling. Since the early 2000s, we have also strived to reduce material waste by reusing wooden plates used for hamburger dishes and other items, even if they are damaged. In recent years, with the global goal of reducing plastic waste, we have also focused on initiatives aligned with national policies.

SDGs Report 2024: https://www.aleph-inc.co.jp/_data/2024_aleph_sdgs_rep.pdf

Novelty of using almost no water

Could you tell us what prompted you to implement LIMEX?

Lord Aleph

Around 2020, when our company was searching for alternative materials to paper and plastic, we learned about LIMEX, which uses limestone as its main ingredient, and took notice of it. We were drawn to its novelty and rarity because we were seeing many examples of its use in business cards, and because it uses significantly less water than existing options such as FSC-certified paper and recycled material.

*Compared to ordinary paper, LIMEX Sheet uses virtually no water resources during manufacturing and does not use wood pulp as a raw material, thus contributing to the conservation of forest resources. Furthermore, compared to PP and PET sheets, it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂, and the amount of petroleum-based plastics used.

The durability, which I was concerned about, is also not a problem.

Could you tell us how you considered introducing garbage bag, and what points you focused on during that process?

Lord Aleph

We internally considered the durability of the materials, the cost, and the impact on operations. Initially, there were concerns about durability compared to conventional products, but after repeated testing in experimental stores, we determined that it could be used without any problems. Currently, it has been introduced in stores nationwide and is being used without any operational issues.

You've also adopted LIMEX as your corporate book. Could you tell us about the reasons for that adoption and the points you evaluated?

Lord Aleph

When completely redesigning our company brochure, we wanted to focus not only on the means of conveying information, but also on the "material" itself. We prioritized durability, texture, and tear resistance, and ultimately decided on this new paper. The cost difference compared to FSC-certified mixed paper was within an acceptable range, and we judged that the long-term benefits would be significant.

A stable supply was an absolute requirement for implementation.

When you ultimately decided to implement LIMEX, what were the key points you prioritized within your company?

Lord Aleph

The key factors in introducing a new product are quality and a production system that ensures a stable supply. We decided to introduce the product after determining that a sufficient supply system had been established.

Furthermore, when disposing of the garbage bags, we previously needed to check whether the material of the bags complied with the collection rules of each local government. However, thanks to the materials you provided, we now understand that we can use them with confidence.

*In municipalities without designated garbage bags, there is generally a requirement for "transparent" or "semi-transparent" garbage bags. LimeAir Bag has comparable opacity to typical 100% HDPE (semi-transparent) bags.

Visualizing the effects communicates the value and significance of the initiative.
A communication tool to convey environmental responsibility

The press release quantitatively communicates the company's environmental initiatives using numerical data. How is this aspect evaluated within the company?

Lord Aleph

To realize our corporate mission of "conducting business activities that respect nature," we believe it is crucial to use objective, common evaluation criteria. We believe that visualizing the effects of reducing environmental impact using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is highly significant. Recently, there has been a risk of being criticized as "greenwashing" when communicating our efforts to address environmental issues. However, we feel that objective data makes it easier to demonstrate the validity and basis of our efforts both internally and externally.

After the product was introduced, what kind of feedback did you receive from employees, business partners, and others who actually used it?

Lord Aleph

When we hand out our corporate booklet, some people notice the texture, which is completely different from conventional paper. They often notice the explanation of LIMEX on the back cover and give positive feedback such as, "It has an interesting feel that's different from paper."

Considering expansion into new fields

How do you plan to utilize LIMEX in the future?

Lord Aleph

Currently, we use this material for our corporate books and garbage bag, but we believe it has great potential for other applications, such as cooking utensils and supplies. For example, we are currently exploring its potential to meet on-site needs, such as microwave-safe containers and plastic products that require high durability.