KURA SUSHI USA ROLLS OUT SUSTAINABLE ECOPON BIKKURA PON PRIZE CAPSULES

Kura Sushi USA, Inc., a technology-enabled Japanese restaurant concept known for its revolving sushi bars, is taking a significant step toward sustainability with the enhanced look and feel of its Bikkura Pon prize capsules with ecopon, the world’s first plastic-free, biodegradable and recyclable paper capsule made from starch and paper pulp developed by K2 Station Co., Ltd., Rengo Co. Ltd., and Daiho Industrial Co., Ltd. This initiative makes Kura Sushi the first organization to introduce ecopon to the U.S. market by launching sustainable Bikkura Pon prize capsules nationwide. The new capsules will be rolled out alongside Kura Sushi’s upcoming Bikkura Pon prize collaboration with Peanuts®, which will be available at all Kura Revolving Sushi Bars from Dec. 1 to Jan. 31, 2024, while supplies last.

ecopon underscores Kura Sushi’s commitment to environmental sustainability and showcases its dedication to reducing its ecological footprint for all Bikkura Pon prize collaborations in partnership with licensed intellectual properties. With ecopon’s revolutionary technology, the new biodegradable Bikkura Pon prize capsules are free of harmful substances and able to be disposed of as general waste and repurposed as raw materials, as they are composed of starch and paper pulp.

The production of these capsules also reduces environmental impact, emitting just one-third of the carbon dioxide of conventional polypropylene. ecopon capsules are manufactured in Japan using PIM (Pulp Injection Molding) technology, a process developed by Daiho Industrial Co., Ltd. This technology creates a three-dimensional structure by injecting starch and paper pulp materials, resulting in a durable yet environmentally friendly product.

“Incorporating ecopon into our restaurants symbolizes a definite move towards ecological responsibility, as our guests savor their rewards with the knowledge that they're making a tangible contribution to a greener world,” said Hajime ”Jimmy” Uba, President and CEO of Kura Sushi USA, Inc. “By introducing ecopon, we're not only enhancing the dining experience but also championing a conscious and eco-friendly approach that sets the bar for responsible practices in the restaurant industry.”

The roll out is the latest step in Kura Sushi’s mission to further cement itself as a forward-thinking brand that prioritizes the planet's and its guests' well-being. In addition to the new prize capsules, Kura Sushi will transition from plastic to paper straws nationwide in the coming months.

With the introduction of these sustainable initiatives, Kura Sushi continues to set industry standards and inspire others to adopt eco-friendly practices. For more details on the new Bikkura Pon prize capsules, please visit kurasushi.com/sustainability.