PepsiCo Recycling Increases Sustainability Funding To Colleges And Universities

Applications now open for the Zero Impact Fund, which offers up to $10,000 for campus sustainability initiatives

News provided by

Sep 19, 2017, 09:00 ET

PURCHASE, N.Y., Sept. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo Recycling is expanding its second year of the Zero Impact Fund, which offers eligible* colleges and universities an opportunity to bring campus eco-innovations to life. Through the Zero Impact Fund, schools can submit ideas to accomplish their environmental goals, with winning applications receiving up to $10,000 each from PepsiCo Recycling. In its first year, the Zero Impact Fund received applications from more than 40 different campuses and awarded grants to eight schools.

"As a part of our Performance with Purpose agenda, PepsiCo is proud to empower our college and university partners to develop and implement sustainability initiatives that not only impact their campuses but inspire others," said Tom Mooradian, PepsiCo Sustainability Manager. "We were thrilled to be able to help make a difference at campuses across the country last year and are excited to up the ante this year in hopes of seeing even more innovative ideas generated by students, faculty and staff in the second year of the Zero Impact Fund."

For the 2017-2018 school year, colleges and universities interested in submitting project proposals for PepsiCo Recycling's Zero Impact Fund should complete an application at PepsiCoRecycling.com on or before December 19.Schools selected to receive funding from the Zero Impact Fund will be notified during the week of January 29, and funding will be provided to initiate projects as early as February 2018. A PepsiCo Recycling committee will evaluate each school's proposal based on the following criteria:

Environmental Impact – How the proposed project creates a more sustainable campus.
Economic Impact – The environmentally related cost savings.
Social Impact – How the campus community is engaged and positive behavioral change is fostered.
Desirability, Feasibility, Longevity – The demonstrated support of campus leadership and the extent to which the initiative is scalable.
Ingenuity – How positive sustainability impact will be achieved in a new or innovative way.

Last year's winning project proposals included compost infrastructure development, student education and engagement campaigns, renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, zero-waste programs, a bike-share program, and landfill diversion programs.

"The University of California, Irvine is proud to be a recipient of a grant from PepsiCo Recycling's Zero Impact Fund. The funds have allowed us to develop digital waste bins that will not only help increase the number of bottles and cans collected on campus, but also to educate students and faculty on proper recycling habits," said Tyson Monagle, Hospitality & Dining Marketing Manager at the University of California, Irvine.

Since 2010, as part of PepsiCo's Performance with Purpose agenda, PepsiCo Recycling has partnered with more than 100 colleges' and universities' on-campus recycling programs, and has awarded more than $100,000 to support campus recycling efforts and increase student engagement. In addition to the Zero Impact Fund, PepsiCo Recycling offers resources for colleges and universities to reduce waste produced during collegiate athletic events and engage the campus community around sustainability.

For more information on PepsiCo Recycling's Zero Impact Fund, proposal inspiration, rules and questions about eligibility, please visit PepsiCoRecycling.com.

*Direct or indirect beverage contract or agreement with PepsiCo is required to be eligible.

About PepsiCo Recycling
The PepsiCo Recycling initiative, introduced on Earth Day 2010, brings innovative recycling solutions to colleges and universities, K-12 schools, gas stations and popular retail locations across North America with the goal of increasing beverage container recycling rates. With programs including college and university container collections and Recycle Rallies – and the help of many strategic partners, students and community members – PepsiCo is on its way to capturing more recyclables and creating a culture of recycling. To learn more, please visit www.PepsiCoRecycling.com.

About PepsiCo
PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $63 billion in net revenue in 2016, driven by a complementary food and beverage portfolio that includes Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Quaker and Tropicana. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including 22 brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

At the heart of PepsiCo is Performance with Purpose – our goal to deliver top-tier financial performance while creating sustainable growth and shareholder value. In practice, Performance with Purpose means providing a wide range of foods and beverages from treats to healthy eats; finding innovative ways to minimize our impact on the environment and reduce our operating costs; providing a safe and inclusive workplace for our employees globally; and respecting, supporting and investing in the local communities where we operate. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com.

SOURCE PepsiCo