PepsiCo India’s Commitment to Water Sustainability: A Path Towards Positive Change

29 March 2024, New Delhi: PepsiCo India has set forth a vision to champion water sustainability, driven by its commitment to sustainability, environmental responsibility, and community empowerment. Guided by PepsiCo Positive, the company aims to support water security for its business, natural ecosystems, and local communities. With a comprehensive strategy that focuses on improving water use efficiency, providing safe water access, replenishing water sources, and adopting the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) standard, PepsiCo India endeavors to become net water-positive by 2030.

PepsiCo India, in collaboration with Alternative Development Initiatives (ADI), has launched the Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management (SWRDM) program. This program concentrates on enabling groundwater recharge by implementing geo-hydrological considerations at the watershed level. Through the annual intensification of groundwater recharge initiatives in regions such as Sangrur (Punjab), Pune (Maharashtra), and Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), PepsiCo India reaffirms its commitment to environmental stewardship. The SWRDM program has positively impacted over 70,000 individuals and created the potential for 1,000 million liters of groundwater recharge through the construction of 33 rainwater harvesting structures.

Safe Water Access Program

As part of its commitment to providing safe water access to people, PepsiCo India, through the PepsiCo Foundation, has partnered with organizations like WaterAid. While the foundation aims to provide safe water access to over 100 million people worldwide by 2030, it has already made significant progress, covering 27 million beneficiaries in India alone. In South India (Palakkad, Nelamangala, and Sri City), the foundation has facilitated well restoration, rainwater harvesting in schools, and piped water supply systems to homes, benefiting over 200,000 people. Additionally, partnerships with WaterAid and the Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial FORCE Trust have positively impacted the lives of 200,000 farmers, families, and communities across Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

‘Fryer Vapour to Water’ Project

PepsiCo India has embarked on an innovative project called the ‘Fryer Vapour to Water.’ This project addresses water conservation in potato chip manufacturing plants located in West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. During the chips frying process, approximately 80% of the water inherent to the potatoes is released as vapor. The Fryer Vapour to Water treatment technology captures and condenses the steam, removing fats, oils, and grease. The resulting water is used in PC processing and can be reused for washing, peeling, or slicing new potatoes upon their arrival from the farm. The project aims to recover over 50% of the water used in potato chip manufacturing plants, contributing to water conservation efforts.

Commitment to Sustainability and Community Empowerment

PepsiCo India’s commitment to sustainability and community empowerment goes beyond water conservation. The company actively replenishes water sources, adopts sustainable practices, and partners with organizations to drive positive change. Through collaborations with Alternative Development Initiatives, WaterAid, and the Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial FORCE Trust, PepsiCo India has positively impacted lives and ecosystems in regions like Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Yashika Singh, Head of Corporate Affairs Communication and Sustainability, PepsiCo India highlighting the company’s unwavering dedication to its mission of becoming net water positive by 2030 said, “Driven by our vision of PepsiCo Positive, we are making significant strides towards water stewardship and sustainability at PepsiCo India. As we celebrate World Water Day, we take pride in our continuous efforts that extend beyond conservation to actively replenishing water sources, adopting sustainable practices, and empowering communities. Through initiatives like the Sustainable Water Resource Development and Management and Safe Water Access programs, in collaboration with Alternative Development Initiatives, WaterAid & Pandit Jagat Ram Memorial FORCE Trust respectively, we’ve positively impacted lives and ecosystems across regions like Punjab, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh. As we march towards our goal of becoming net water positive by 2030, we remain steadfast in our mission, touching the lives of communities, wherever we go.”

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