These Japanese sake cups are made of biodegradable plastic that can be broken down into water and carbon dioxide in seawater and soil. After they finish their role, they can be completely decomposed into harmless substances by the action of microorganisms in nature and return to earth. Another main feature of the cups is that besides being made of biodegradable plastic, they are coated with urushi lacquer, which is a natural resin material, using the technique of Aizu lacquerware that has survived 400 years of history. The cups are imbued with the company’s hope of integrating tradition into the modern era to protect the industry and the future of the society. Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing issues and the impact of microplastic on marine life is particularly a serious environmental threat. Although 100% biodegradable plastic has been around for a while, it had not been very widespread across the world for many years. With the plastic pollution becoming a global concern, the company, based in Aizu in Fukushima known as one of the largest Japanese sake producers, has decided to produce sake cups using its Aizu lacquerware technique cultivated over many years with the aims to raise awareness of the issue.