This week, PepsiCo, Inc. launched pep+ (pep positive), a sustainability focused end-to-end transformation of its business operations. This includes sourcing, producing and selling its products in a more sustainable way, as well as using its significant connections with consumers to engage in better choices for them and the planet.
Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta said, “pep+ is the future of our company – a fundamental transformation of what we do and how we do it to create growth and shared value with sustainability and human capital at the center. It reflects a new business reality, where consumers are becoming more interested in the future of the planet and society. pep+ will change our brands and how they win in the market. For example, imagine Lay’s will start with a potato grown sustainably on a regenerative field, and then be cooked and delivered from a Net-Zero and Net Water Positive supply chain, sold in a bio-compostable bag, with the lowest sodium levels in the market. That’s a positive choice. That’s the best tasting, #1 potato chip of the future. That’s how pep+ will be better for people, for the planet, and for our business. Now, imagine the scale and impact when applied to all 23 of our billion-dollar brands.”
The program is based on three key pillars: positive agriculture, positive value chain, and positive choices. The agricultural aspect aims to sustainably source key crops and ingredients, and improve the livelihoods of more than 250,000 people in its agricultural supply chain. The Positive Value Chain aims for circular and inclusive actions to achieve Net-Zero emissions by 2040, become Net Water Positive by 2030, Introduce more sustainable packaging into the value chain by cutting 50% of virgin plastic by 2030; and a new global workforce volunteering program, One Smile at a Time, to encourage, support and empower its employees to make positive impacts in their local communities.
As for the Positive choices pillar, the company is working towards including products with better nutritional benefits, prioritizing chickpeas, plant-based proteins and whole grains; reducing added sugars and sodium; and continuing to scale new business models that require little or no single-use packaging.
“pep+ directly links the future of our business with the future of our planet, for the benefit of both – from how we source ingredients and make and sell our products; to how we inspire consumers through our iconic brands to make better choices for themselves and the planet; to how we support communities and improve livelihoods throughout our supply chain,” said Jim Andrew, Chief Sustainability Officer, PepsiCo. “Take SodaStream, for example. By rapidly expanding the SodaStream ecosystem, we are meeting the needs of consumers at home, away from home, and on-the-go. At the same time, we are also offering consumers positive choices that use less plastic, create fewer emissions, and are better for people. pep+ is our roadmap to create the food and drinks people love in a way that helps build the sustainable future we all must have.”
