Bridge the (Knowledge) Gap: Join our Zero Waste Mission this Earth Day

Every Earth Day is a reminder that we live on a shared planet—and that every decision, from the beer we brew to the sauces we serve, shapes the world we live in. At 7 Bridges Brewing Co., we’ve never believed in doing things the easy way. We believe in doing them the right way—even when it means taking a hard look in the mirror.

Introduction from CEO

April 22 is Earth Day. To me, Earth Day is a day to simply turn our hearts toward the environment—whatever that means to each of us. This might get a little long, but since it’s Earth Day, I’d like to take this chance to share some personal reflections. Honestly, I’ve disliked the concept of "business" since I was a student. I always wanted to live as far away from that world as possible. It wasn’t because I had deep knowledge of business—it was more of a vague aversion to the image that the word carried. Looking back, I think that image was shaped by growing up during Japan’s bubble economy, watching adults obsessively chase endless growth and profit. That frenzy terrified me. Back then, there was little awareness of work-life balance or corporate ethics. "Business" seemed exploitative, unjust, and indifferent to those who were less fortunate. Whether someone was a "winner" or a "loser" in life was measured by income. That wild, distorted view of business pushed me far away from that world. And so, I kept my distance for years. But in my work in international cooperation, I eventually arrived at an unavoidable truth: Without money, you cannot create impact. It’s obvious, but real nonetheless. Nothing can start without funding. Sure, there are organizations that run on donations and grants, but that kind of money is unstable and beyond your control. Government funds often come with strings attached and don’t always reach the people you truly want to help. Through that frustration, I arrived at this realization: “If I earn it myself, then I have the freedom to use it however I believe is right.” That was the first time I turned my eyes toward the business world—the one I had long avoided. From there, life took its twists and turns, but I eventually found myself in a crazy project called 7 Bridges, built around that very idea. (Why beer, you ask? Simply because I love beer more than three meals a day! 🍺😂) Of course, trying to bring this idea to life was far from easy. I’ve faced countless failures, betrayals, frustration, confusion… I’ve been crushed and shaken by the very "monsters" of the business world that I used to fear. I’ve had so many moments when I thought, “I can’t do this anymore.” And yet—I didn’t stop. Why? Because a small handful of people resonated with the values behind what we were doing. They believed in a new kind of business, one that reflects what we now call post-capitalist values. 💡✨ That support kept me going. In 2020, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, its founder and then-chairman Klaus Schwab said: "Capitalism as we knew it is dead. Obsession with maximizing shareholder profit has led to extreme inequality and global emergencies." He stressed that companies should consider not only shareholders, but also employees, customers, communities, and the environment. (A philosophy quite similar to the old Japanese idea of Sanpo Yoshi—benefiting the seller, the buyer, and society.) He also framed the post-COVID world as a Great Reset, saying it’s a rare opportunity to realize stakeholder capitalism. I deeply felt that paradigm shift through the pandemic. COVID gave many people a chance to reflect on what really matters in life—and to question the structures of our current economy and society. I believe we’re entering a world where business is no longer a monster, but a force that can offer good. In particular, I see this clearly in Gen Z. They’re highly aware of social and environmental issues. They often value their local communities over faraway global narratives. They can see through companies that wear the mask of goodness but act otherwise.They’re skeptical of materialistic lifestyles. Blind loyalty to corporations is rare—genuine emotional connection is essential. They judge people not by appearance or gender, but with an inclusive mindset. Of course, not everyone is like that—but I’ve seen this trend growing stronger around me. And so, I finally feel that I can build the kind of business I’ve always dreamed of. That hope is what keeps me going, no matter how hard things get. That said, our company is still far from perfect. We’ve probably achieved less than 30% of what I envision. We’re still learning through trial and error. Resources are limited, so our capabilities are, too. But we are making progress—step by step. That much, I can say with confidence. We don’t lie to our values. That’s the foundation. And we’re building a circle of people who resonate with those values—growing that circle to create real impact. I want people to say, “I’m glad that company exists in our town.” This is our report—not just to celebrate, but to remind ourselves of what we must continue striving for. Even the hard truths. Because staying true to our beliefs is the only way forward.

Earth Day Report

This year, we’re proud to release our first-ever Earth Day Report: a candid, self-written assessment of where we’re making progress, where we’re falling short, and what we’re doing next.

Our mission has always been about more than beer. It’s about community, creativity, and responsibility. That’s why we launched our Zero Waste Mission—a commitment to regenerative brewing where nothing is wasted and everything has the potential for new life. Hear our CEO Saori discuss this on the Circular Momentum Podcast. Whether it’s beer vinegar turned into hot sauce, spent grain transformed into crackers, or even soaps made from fryer oil and yeast, we’re building an ecosystem of products rooted in sustainability.

But we also know we’ve got work to do.

This report isn’t greenwashing. It’s not a corporate checklist. It’s a transparent look at the real environmental impact of craft brewing and F&B operations—and how we’re trying to do better.

How energy use and water consumption are our biggest challenges
How our packaging decisions matter as much as our ingredients
And how agility—not scale—might be our greatest asset in building a sustainable future

Read the full report below and learn how we’re using Earth Day not just to celebrate, but to change.