Just recently, Japanese retailer Muji announced that they would stop selling their beverages in plastic bottles, all over their country. They will also discontinue some of their beverages once the existing stock has been depleted. The remaining beverages will now be sold in aluminum cans. The world knows that Japan adopts more environmentally ways than any other country. This move has only cemented their cause to sustainable ways.
Cracking down on plastic use
PET bottles, as the Japanese call plastic bottles, is short for polyethylene terephthalate. They belong to the polyester family and are sold nationwide at supermarkets through vending machines. Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages to using both materials but aluminum can be recycled easily and reused much more than plastic.
Data collected from the Japan Aluminum Can Recycling Association states in Japan 97.9% of the aluminum cans are recycled with about 66.9% horizontal (can-to-can) recycling rate. According to the home goods, apparel, and food chain Muji, using aluminum cans will protect the beverages from exposure to sunlight and last longer. This means that not only would they be reducing plastic waste but they would also be reducing the burden of expired products. And this is definitely a problem that most food and beverage companies face. Now, they can take a page from Muji’s book and follow in their footsteps to make the world more eco-friendly.
Making the world a better place
It is heartening to see that such a big brand is making a move to be environmentally conscious. But many other brands are constantly working towards reducing plastic waste. Muji is now among those brands.
The day is not far when Japan becomes free of plastic waste. They are setting a great example as a nation and the rest of the world should pay heed.
Spyce Is Opening a New Automated Kitchen in Harvard Square
Back in 2018, the automated Spyce kitchen opened doors for the first time in Downtown Crossing, Boston. Whoever’s got the munchies can place their order online or at kiosks, and the kitchen does the majority of the work, searing and steaming ingredients to create globally inspired salads and bowls.
The New & Improved Spyce to Open in Harvard Square
The new Spyce kitchen is like version 2.0 as it has a “ton more customization,” looks different, and uses more advanced cooking techniques than its predecessor. The new kitchen is not cooking ingredients together in a stir-fry style. Instead, every ingredient is prepared separately, regardless of whether that’s a chicken cooked on a carbon steel plancha or steamed pasta.
One thing people love about Spyce is that before ordering, customers begin with choosing dietary preferences and allergies, which include gluten-free, vegetarian, pescetarian, and paleo. However, this doesn’t end just here. Instead of removing food ingredients, the smart kitchen finds something suitable to replace it with.
The New Spyce Will (at Least) Double Production
The first Spyce version produces roughly 120 bowls per hour, but the new one is estimated to handle over 300. This is not a faster cooking method, but more of a mechanical one, and it is just a more practical solution. For example, the old kitchen is moving food to a wok and then the wok to the bowl as the new kitchen moves the bowl to the food.
The new location has a beer and wine license, but due to the current pandemic, the beer, wine, and dining rooms planned for space are currently on hold. However, diners will be able to order for pickup or delivery on the Spyce app or website. The creators are planning to incorporate third-party apps and are also looking forward to the official opening in Harvard Square. One of them – Michael Farid, said: “The four of us went to MIT, and Harvard Square always has a special place in our hearts!”