JCCU will gradually switch the packaging for its CO·OP Brand Rice to a more environmentally friendly plant-based polyethylene material. This transition is scheduled to begin in July 2025.

Initially, products using the new packaging will be sold at co-ops affiliated with Co-opdeli Consumers' Co-operative Union (hereinafter Co-opdeli), U CO-OP, and Co-op Kinki Consumers' Co-operative Union.

As the first step, two products, "CO·OP Niigata Sado Koshihikari 5kg "(regular and pre-washed rice), will be sold by consumer co-ops affiliated with the Co-opdeli starting in July. These packages use plant-based polyethylene and is also certified with the Eco Mark. In the future, other 5kg rice products will also start using bags made with at least 25% plant-based polyethylene. (Note: the rice brands may vary depending on the co-op).

Until now, JCCU has been working to reduce plastic usage by making rice bag films thinner. In 2011, the standard thickness was reduced from 100μm to 90μm, and subsequently reduced further to 85μm and 80μm in stages.

With this latest change, using plant-based polyethylene in part of the packaging is expected to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics and curb CO₂ emissions.

Based on actual figures from FY2024, it is estimated that the planned switch to plant-based polyethylene for 34 items in FY2025 will reduce petroleum-based plastic usage by approximately 37 tons per year. Among them, the two "CO·OP Niigata Sado Koshihikari" products alone will account for a reduction of about 3 tons annually.

In its "2030 Goals for CO·OP Brand Products," JCCU has set a target to increase the combined ratio of recycled and plant-based plastics used in CO·OP Brand Products to at least 50%. The organization remains committed to developing and promoting environmentally friendly products in pursuit of sustainable production and consumption.