As part of the zero-waste commitment for its manufacturing operation, PepsiCo's agriculture team in Turkey invested in anaerobic digestion technology several years ago to handle the organic waste created there.
It is fed by a mixture of potato peels, corn kernels and other ingredients used in the company's snack foods.
Today, the biogas generated by that equipment covers approximately 35 percent of the electricity needed to run its two Frito-Lay snack food plants there.
What's more, PepsiCo figured out a way to turn the nutrient-rich digestate created during the process into a more environmentally friendly fertilizer, which it is now supplying to its more than 350 contract farmers in the country. The idea was a collaboration between the manufacturing team, which was trying to find a better way to dispose of the biodigester waste, and PepsiCo agricultural advisors, who were trying to reduce the negative impact of soil additives used to grow potatoes.
"As the team was thinking about what to do with the sludge, another team was looking for new fertilizer approaches that were more sustainable,"said Ece Aksel, general manager of PepsiCo Turkey. "Together, they found this process."
Pepsico recycles snack food waste into energy and fertilizer
Like to receive news like this by email? Join and Subscribe!
Get the latest potato industry news straight to your WhatsApp. Join the PotatoPro WhatsApp Community!
Highlighted Company
Related News
September 15, 2026
Survey Finds Americans Increasingly Turn to Food Delivery and Grocery Convenience Services
A FinanceBuzz and Bank of America survey finds 63 percent of Americans use food delivery monthly, while high fees influence ordering decisions, with 68 percent abandoning a delivery order after seeing the final cost.
September 06, 2026
FAO Food Price Index rises in August amid broad-based increases, led by sugar
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.1 points in July 2026, up 0.7 points from its June level. Increases in the price indices for cereals, sugar and vegetable oils were partially offset by declines in those for meat and dairy products.
August 07, 2026
FAO Food Price Index edges higher in July on stronger crop prices
The FAO Food Price Index averaged 131.1 points in July 2026, up 0.7 points from its June level. Increases in the price indices for cereals, sugar and vegetable oils were partially offset by declines in those for meat and dairy products.
