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Frito-Lay's energy management lauded by EPA, Dept. of Energy

FoodProcessing.com
06/05/2006

Frito-Lay was one of a select number of businesses and organizations recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for energy conservation. The EPA and DOE conferred Partner-of-The-Year in Energy Management to Frito-Lay for accomplishments and leadership in the ENERGY STAR program, a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

Frito-Lay's energy conservation programs took shape in the early 1990s. Since launching its energy management program in 1999, Frito-Lay has reduced its energy consumption annually, resulting in an overall reduction of 21% across its 34 U.S. manufacturing facilities. Based on 2005 energy pricing, Frito-Lay has saved more than $40 million in energy costs since 1999 as a result of its comprehensive approach to sustainability and conservation. The company's Energy Management program includes a variety of elements designed to reduce energy consumption, such as scorecards, and customized action plans for each site that engage and recognize employee achievements.

"Frito-Lay's innovative programs engage our people to protect the environment by reusing, recycling or removing natural resources from our processes," said Rich Beck, senior vice president of Operations, Frito-Lay North America. "As part of the company's commitment to sustainability, we work hard to conserve water, fuels and electricity, through the people, processes and technology employed throughout daily operations."

Frito-Lay's commitment to sustainability is to continuously develop innovative programs that will improve our business performance and protect the environment by maximizing the use of natural resources, while recycling or removing inefficient or polluting resources from our processes. Over the years, the company has voluntarily developed and implemented programs aimed at environmental sustainability. To make sure our practices remain innovative and to ensure we apply new learning where possible, Frito-Lay works closely with governments, municipalities and technical experts.

ENERGY STAR partners of the year, including Fortune 500 companies and small businesses, set and reached annual goals to shrink energy use.

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992. Now in partnership with the Department of Energy, EPA works with more than 8,000 organizations to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. ENERGY STAR award winners are selected from the organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Frito-Lay North America is the $10 billion convenient foods division of PepsiCo, which is headquartered in Purchase, N.Y. In addition to Frito-Lay, PepsiCo's principal businesses include Pepsi-Cola beverages; Gatorade sports drinks; Tropicana juices and Quaker foods.