TOKYO, JAPAN — Publicis Groupe Japan has unveiled the winners of its “Trash Bento Challenge,” which challenges everyone to think creatively about the problem of trash and micro-plastics by making bento box lunches out of garbage.
Every year, Publicis Groupe Japan’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Committee holds a public competition, which aims to raise awareness of some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. This year’s contest was inspired by a worrying statistic. People are consuming foods that are contaminated with microplastics: the average person eats the equivalent of one small lunch in a year, or about 250g, according to a 2019 survey by World Wildlife Fund, which is calling for a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
“This project started from the question, ‘Isn’t that a lot?’ By inviting participants to pick up trash to create an inedible bento box, we hope they will become more aware of the large amount of rubbish that is littering their neighborhoods, as well as the amount of micro-plastics they unknowingly ingest every year, and the impact it has on their health,” explained Yukichi Shikata, Creative Director who is part of Publicis Groupe Japan’s SDGs Committee.
Gareth Mulryan, CEO at Publicis Groupe Japan, added: “It’s amazing what can be created from the trash we throw away. Through the Trash Bento Challenge, we hope to raise awareness of the health problems caused by trash and micro-plastics while encouraging people to be more aware of the waste around them.”
Two special judges – Shuichi Takizawa (Comedian/Trash collector) and Misa Enomoto (Cook/Fermentation Meister) – selected two of this year’s Trash Bento Challenge winners. The Delicious Design Award was selected by Enomoto, while Takizawa selected the Recycling Meister Award winner.
Congratulations to:
- “Midoringo” – Grand Prix winner
- “Koh” – Future Genius Award
- “Chi-Chan” – Community Spirit Award
- “Mia” – Delicious Design Award
- “Namina” – Recycling Meister Award
The Grand Prix winner receives a family accommodation voucher at the Zero Waste Action Hotel in Kamikatsu, Tokushima.
Publicis Groupe Japan’s SDG Committee finds ways to contribute to society through education and awareness-raising activities, starting with its own employees. Last year, it began contributing to the local community and industry through projects like the Meguro River Contest, which challenged competitors to create artworks from rubbish discarded along the river during the annual cherry blossom season.
The SDG Committee will return next year with another contest to inspire positive behaviour change. For updates, follow Publicis Groupe Japan’s Instagram account.
