New Gate Recycling Procedures and Product Segregation Energize Zero Landfill Efforts

Upon driver check-in, at the end of the shift in Sacramento, California, drivers segregate unsalable product by container type (Aluminum, PET, glass) and then separate diet and sugar-based products. Sorting the products by container type maximizes the revenue for the PET and aluminum because the recycler does not have to do the sorting. Sorting the products by beverage type optimizes the treatment options for the products and therefore, decreases costs. Sugar based products can be reused by the municipal sewage treatment plant to generate methane gas and diet products can be disposed of in the sanitary sewer without disrupting the sewage treatment plant operations.

Initiated five years ago, this innovative and successful program begins with new driver training, the segregation process becomes another one of the employee's daily activities. Segregating products, which takes the drivers only fifteen minutes to complete, is the first step in optimizing the management of these materials. Lauren Stallard, who is leading the zero landfill efforts for the Sacramento location, points out that the extra time and effort is well worth it, as this program benefits the company, the customer and the environment. These ongoing efforts by individual employees are what inspire everyone to do their part in supporting PepsiCo's Zero Landfill Goal.