PepsiCo Orders 30,000 Shipping Pallets Made From Waste

PepsiCo is ordering an additional 30,0000 eco-friendly shipping pallets from an Israeli company that makes them out of household waste.

The collaboration with bioplastic producer UBQ is part of its Pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) initiative to become a sustainable business.

Its goals include reducing virgin plastic use in all of its packaging by 50 per cent, and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

UBQ makes durable plastics from 100 per cent unsorted household waste that cannot be recycled (food waste, unrecyclable plastics, dirty cardboard) and uses it in applications across industries including retail, logistics, furniture, construction and automotive.

Items that can be produced include trays, hangers, shopping carts, furniture, auto parts, pipes, and bins.

The production of UBQ decreases the landfilling of waste, preventing methane emissions and curtailing the leakage of toxic substances into the soil.

In March, UBQ manufactured 830 shipping pallets that were used in two of PepsiCo’s logistical centers as part of a pilot to reduce the carbon footprint of its shipping pallets. 

“We are eager to extend implementation of our advanced material into new products and markets,” said Albert Douer, Co-CEO and Chairman of UBQ Materials.

David Schwartz, VP, PepsiCo Labs, said: “We are putting sustainability and innovation at the heart of our operations. Achieving these goals is integral to the future of our business, our customers, our consumers and the planet.

“Our goal is to transform our entire supply chain to tackle the sustainability challenges the world faces. UBQ Materials’ waste-based thermoplastic reduces landfill waste, prevents emissions, and takes us towards circularity, which is why we are working towards scaling use of UBQ globally.”

“PepsiCo Labs plays a critical role in supporting Pep+, prioritizing innovations that minimize the company’s environmental impact. The climate crisis demands immediate action, and this collaboration is one example of how corporations can make significant change through simple substitutions.” said Douer.