Consumer co-ops in the Tohoku region have started selling disposable chopsticks using scallop shells through the co-op's store from January 30, and the home delivery outlets from March 23, 2020.

This is a new product of the "Cocon-Tohoku" a brand that aims to support the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake and promote the regional economy in the Tohoku region.

It contains 51% scallop shell powder from Aomori Prefecture. The product is eco-friendly "washable and reusable" chopsticks as an alternative to wooden disposable ones.

Why are scallop shells used for disposable chopsticks?

This is because it is estimated that about 50,000 tons of cultured scallop shells are produced annually in the Tohoku region. Some of them are used for aquaculture materials, building materials, soil improvement materials, etc., but many are discarded. The use of shells as an alternative to plastic has helped promote Plastics Smart* and the reduction of shell trash.

* Cocon-Tohoku is a brand developed by Tohoku Cooperative Business Development Co., Ltd. which is a subsidiary of Miyagi Co-op. The company was established to support the reconstruction of the Tohoku region after the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011.

* Plastics Smart is a campaign launched by the Ministry of the Environment. 

The campaign aims to spread across Japan initiatives such as gaining a proper understanding of the actual situation of marine plastic litter problem as well as eradicating littering and reducing the disposal of plastics.