International food and beverage company PepsiCo has opened a green packaging plant in China. The company says it is the first plant of any kind in the industrial centre of Chongqing to comply with the rigorous sustainable engineering standards known as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), set by the Green Building Council.
The plant uses over 35 water and energy saving designs and utilises the world's most advanced technology, including an environmental management system that monitors water and energy use on every production line and every piece of individual equipment in real time, according to the company.Indra Nooyi, PepsiCo chairman and chief executive officer says, “This plant reflects our deep and long-term commitment to China. 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.”
The company outlines that the facility is designed to use 22 per cent less water and 23 per cent less energy than the average PepsiCo plant in China. To save water, the plant utilizes a high-pressure cleaning system, water-free conveyor belt lubricant and water-saving fixtures.
Plant associates re-use water for landscaping and general cleaning instead of using potable water. To save energy, 75 per cent of the plant's indoor areas feature natural lighting, including a skylight in the packing area and warehouse. A roof garden insulates the office building and saves energy for cooling and heating.
