PepsiCo has increased the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) – used cooking oil – across its Walkers crisp supply chain in a move set to save 2,650 tonnes in greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The annual transport of 240,000 tonnes of potatoes from PepsiCo’s British farmers to its Leicester Walkers site is now entirely powered by used cooking oil, part of a new partnership with AB Texel UK.
PepsiCo sustainability director Simon Devaney said the food manufacturer is always looking for “innovative ways” to decrease its carbon footprint and the HVO move is a “significant step.”
“HVO fuel plays an important role in helping us to accelerate the decarbonisation of our transport activities,” Devaney added.
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The move follows PepsiCo’s introduction of the alternative fuel in 2022, when it began to use HVO for more than one and a half million kilometres of truck journeys moving product between the Quaker Oats mill in Cupar and its Leicester distribution centre.
Every kilometre powered by HVO generates 80% less GHG emissions when compared with conventional diesel, reducing the impact of these journeys on the planet.
The initiative forms part of PepsiCo Positive, the company’s transformation programme which includes a goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040. The news builds on other initiatives launched by PepsiCo, including a recent investment of £58 million into sustainable equipment at its Walkers crisp factory.
New features at the factory included replacement ovens powered by 100% renewable energy and will help cut around 1,000 tons of GHG emissions each year.
