PURCHASE, N.Y., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PepsiCo (NYSE: PEP), one of the world's largest food and beverage companies, received an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay(SM) Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities.
PepsiCo has set a standard for the industry by having 100% of its transportation needs executed by SmartWay carriers and affiliates. PepsiCo and SmartWay's combined efficiency and fuel conservation projects have driven reductions in fuel use of nearly 15 million gallons of diesel, eliminating 340 million pounds of CO2 emissions and lowering PepsiCo's fuel costs.
"Our partnership with SmartWay Transport has driven awareness within and outside the walls of PepsiCo, demonstrating how companies can lower their fuel use, save money and help the environment," said Mark Whittaker VP PepsiCo Transportation. "Sustainability projects in transportation have provided a tremendous return on investment since reducing emissions also translates to lower fuel costs."
PepsiCo was one of 37 companies and organizations from among the Partnership's more than 2,100 partners to receive this distinction. The awards were announced today at the American Trucking Association's Annual Management Conference & Exhibit in Las Vegas.
"EPA is pleased to recognize these SmartWay Partners with a 2009 Excellence Award. I commend PepsiCo for its leadership in promoting sustainable transportation practices through the SmartWay Transport Partnership," said Margo T. Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA. "These actions demonstrate a commitment to a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply."
SmartWay was introduced by EPA and a select group of fifteen shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants from the freight sector. Today, more than 2,200 businesses and organizations have joined the Partnership, including companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses, each working to improve their environmental performance.
Together, through the SmartWay Partnership, these companies will collectively eliminate six million tons of carbon dioxide that contribute to global warming and save more 540 million gallons of diesel fuel -- an economic savings of at least $2 billion a year.
For more information about SmartWay visit: www.epa.gov/smartway.
About PepsiCo
PepsiCo offers the world's largest portfolio of billion-dollar food and beverage brands, including 18 different product lines that each generate more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. Our main businesses -- Frito-Lay, Quaker, Pepsi-Cola, Tropicana and Gatorade -- also make hundreds of other nourishing, tasty foods and drinks that bring joy to our consumers in over 200 countries. With more than $43 billion in 2008 revenues, PepsiCo employs 198,000 people who are united by our unique commitment to sustainable growth, called Performance with Purpose. By dedicating ourselves to offering a broad array of choices for healthy, convenient and fun nourishment, reducing our environmental impact, and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace culture, PepsiCo balances strong financial returns with giving back to our communities worldwide. For more information, please visit www.pepsico.com.
SOURCE PepsiCo
SOURCE: PepsiCo
Web site: http://www.pepsico.com/