Behind PepsiCo's Global Approach to Water Sustainability

Water underpins every part of PepsiCo’s business. With a global reach, the company is compelled to conserve water, both because of its social responsibilities and its own operational needs.

Last year, PepsiCo’s net water positive programme replenished the equivalent of 9,600 Olympic pools of water in areas of significant scarcity.

This global achievement was steered by a comprehensive strategy focusing on restoring stressed watersheds, driving greater efficiency in production and agriculture, and supporting access to safe water via the PepsiCo Foundation.

PepsiCo's water conservation projects

Since 2016, PepsiCo has deployed restoration and conservation interventions such as tree planting and wetland rehabilitation.

In the Ozama River Basin in the Dominican Republic, more than 160,000 trees were planted in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, replenishing 110 million litres and reducing erosion and flood risk.

In Indonesia, work near Mount Pangrango and Gunung Halimun Salak Parks restored 21.6 million litres and secured resources for more than 30 million people.

As Roberta Barbieri, PepsiCo’s Vice President for Water and Climate, observes: "Water is essential and access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right.

"When PepsiCo talks about being ‘Net Water Positive’, we're saying we envision our presence strengthening local water systems, especially in high risk water areas, not straining them."

A new direction in Florida

Expansion in Florida has seen almost 700 acres of sugarcane converted to drip irrigation, working alongside N-Drip and Netafim.

The company is also restoring natural water flows and boosting wetland storage by carefully targeting invasive species with herbicide, keeping native plants and soil intact.

PepsiCo is collaborating with groups such as Audubon, alongside technical partners, to enhance water quality and preserve Everglades watersheds.

Beyond PepsiCo's supply chain

In high-risk regions, PepsiCo has broadened efforts to involve farming communities, not just its ingredient suppliers.

“No matter how efficient the farmers who supply PepsiCo may be, if the rest of the farmers in the watershed aren’t doing the same, it doesn’t have the most optimal impact because everybody is drawing from the same resource," says Roberta.

For instance, in India’s Hathras District, the firm partnered with 10 villages and 1,600 farmers outside its supply chain to set water security plans and introduce water-saving farming methods.

This restored over 81 million litres and will be expanded further. Comparable projects are underway in Mexico, addressing resource pressures from climate change and population increases.

“With our reach and resources, we can help inspire and accelerate solutions beyond our own footprint and really make a meaningful impact," Roberta explains.

Addressing the water problem

Global climate disruption, population demands and pollution continue to challenge freshwater supplies.

Water is vital to the business – not only as an ingredient in PepsiCo’s products but also in the cultivation of crops such as potatoes for Lay’s crisps.

Their facilities rely on dependable access to water from diverse, global locations.

PepsiCo’s ongoing innovation includes drip irrigation to minimise wastage and new manufacturing techniques which cut process wastewater.

Such carefully orchestrated changes reflect a wider movement in corporate water stewardship, with water risks now recognised as a genuine threat to supply chains and business continuity.

“I’m excited to build on this momentum, bring in more partners and do even more to protect the water that sustains us all," says Roberta.