PepsiCo India announced its intent to support the implementation of a comprehensive program for collection and recycling of used PET bottles, equivalent to its products sold in Delhi. The company has partnered with Gem Enviro Management to set up infrastructure for collection and recycling of used PET plastic bottles in Delhi, in line with the plastic waste management rules.
According to Ahmed ElSheikh, President & CEO, PepsiCo India: “As a responsible leader in the food and beverage industry, we are continually working to reduce the impact of our packaging on the environment and increase recycling of plastic waste. PepsiCo is committed to the government’s vision and focus on addressing plastic waste management in a sustainable manner, and we are happy to support efforts in this direction. Today, we pledged our commitment to the Hon’ble Minister for Environment, to support the collection and recycling of used PET equivalent to what is generated through sales of our products in Delhi. To this end, we have partnered with Gem Enviro to set up Reverse Vending Machines, collection points and collection centres for used PET bottles at several locations across the city. The program will also provide training to waste pickers and ensure effective recycling of the used PET collected.”
He further added, “Our Performance with Purpose 2025 goal is to design all packaging to be recoverable or recyclable, and support increased recycling of plastic waste. As part of this, we work with partners to support and leverage new technologies for sustainable packaging solutions. We will be piloting the first ever 100% compostable, plant-based packaging for our popular snacks products – Lay’s and Kurkure, this year. In addition, we have resized the packaging for our snacks master brands, Lay’s and Kurkure, while also reducing paper consumption in the value chain. For our beverage business, we believe that non-returnable glass is an opportunity for the on-the-go consumption occasion, and we are planning to scale up this format.”
PepsiCo has also been working with the government and other partners to enhance plastic waste management and to increase ‘recycling’ in the country. We worked closely with the Central Pollution Control Board to develop and successfully implement two pilot projects for collection, segregation, and recycling of post-consumer multi-layered packaging waste.
“As part of our efforts to increase recycling, we have also successfully piloted a ‘Film to Fuel’ project at our Pune plant to convert all the packaging film waste from the plant, into fuel, ensuring 100 pc recycling of packaging waste at the plant,” he added.
