Japan's First Low-Carbon Sake: Reducing Emissions Through Rice Farming and Circular Packaging

Sakura Sake Shop and Zevero have launched ZAKU for 2126, a sake that reduces carbon emissions by 30% per bottle. Unlike many sustainability claims, this product uses a verified product carbon footprint (PCF) baseline to target specific emission sources without relying on carbon offsets. The reduction was achieved by switching to returnable glass bottles, removing decorative paper packaging, and extending the mid-season drying period in rice paddies to suppress methane emissions. This approach demonstrates how direct agricultural interventions and circular logistics can lower the footprint of consumer beverages.