2Sustain

PepsiCo opened its first overseas “green” plant in China last week. The state-of-the-art beverage facility, located in the western city of Chongqing, is part of Pepsico’s $1 billion investment effort to grow its manufacturing capacity in the country, particularly in interior and western areas.

According to a press release, the Chongqing plant is the first green beverage facility ever built in China — and the first plant of any kind in the industrial center of Chongqing to be  built in compliance with LEED engineering standards. In addition, this new eco-friendly plant

• utilizes an environmental management system that monitors water and energy use on every production line and every piece of individual equipment in real time.

• is designed to use 22% less water and 23% less energy than the average PepsiCo plant in China.

• features natural lighting in 75% of its indoor areas.

• includes a roof garden for improved insulation.

The new facility is expected to help PepsiCo annually reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 3,100 tons, water usage by 100,000 tons, and overall energy use by four million kilowatt hours compared to the former Chongqing plant.

“This plant reflects our deep and long-term commitment to China,” says Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo chairman and chief executive officer. “It is also an important milestone in our green journey, on which we are partnering with the Chinese government, industry and others to continue to promote the health and longevity of our planet.”