Pepsi Recycling Grants
In its 2009 annual report, PepsiCo notes that its inclusion in both the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index stems from a commitment to "environmental responsibilities." Grants represent one way the company promotes environmental sustainability. The PepsiCo Refresh Project gives grants to individuals and organizations for a variety of community improvement projects --- including recycling programs --- based on votes from the general public. Grants issued through PepsiCo Contributions for non-profit-sponsored initiatives represent another avenue to promote recycling.
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Refresh Project Grants
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From February through September 2010, PepsiCo awarded $130,000 in recycling-oriented Refresh Project grants benefiting U.S. communities. The company accepts 1,000 applications per month through its website, Refresh Everything.com. The public can vote on the accepted ideas the following month. The top 10 vote-getters receive requested grants after completing paperwork. Ten $5,000, $25,000 and $50,000 grants as well as two $250,000 grants are awarded monthly. totaling $1.3 million. Any resident of the U.S. who is at least 13 years old may submit an application through the Refresh Everything website. Eligible projects cannot have religious or political affiliation. Awardees must agree to update PepsiCo on their project and verify the legality of fund use and nondiscriminatory nature of their project.
PepsiCo Contributions Grants
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PepsiCo Contributions supports projects related to one of three areas of interest: health, environment and education. According to the PepsiCo website, a "Letter of Interest Process" represents the first step in seeking grant money for recycling-oriented projects, which could fall under the "Environment" or "Education" categories. Contributions grants total less than $100,000 and fund activities in the communities in which PepsiCo operates. Applicant organizations must be registered as a 501 (3)(c) with the Internal Revenue Service, although private charities and foundations are ineligible. PepsiCo evaluates requests "on a rolling basis" and invites those deemed a "fit" to submit a formal proposal. Submission requirements appear on the PepsiCo Grant website listed in the Resource section below.
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PepsiCo Foundation Grants
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Since its inception in 1962, the PepsiCo Foundation has partnered with non-profit and non-government organizations to improve under-served communities throughout the world. Although recycling programs have not yet received PepsiCo Foundation funding, others within the "environment" area of focus have concentrated on "water security, sustainable agriculture and adaptive approaches to climate change," according to PepsiCo. Foundation grants start at $100,000. The Foundation evaluates requests in the form of formal proposals on a "rolling basis."
Recycling Success
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Refresh Project support in 2010 included recycling drives, solar-powered recycle bins, turning used T-shirts into shopping bags to reduce plastic waste and e-waste reduction through cell phone recycling. In addition, company-sponsored initiatives have collected more than 10 tons of recycled material in Mississauga, Ontario, site of PepsiCo's Canadian operations headquarters and 24,000 tons in Brazil. PepsiCo also claims success in reducing landfill waste in the U.S. by incorporating "at least 10 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET)" in its soft drink packaging. Among its 47 "Performance with Purpose" goals, PepsiCo strives for a 50 percent bottle recycling rate in the U.S. by 2018.
Recycling Donations
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PepsiCo's "Dream Machine" recycling effort, launched in April 2010 throughout 14 states, collects used beverage bottles through bins and kiosks placed at college campuses, gas stations, malls and other "high-traffic locations." Ten million pounds of collected recyclables translates into a $250,000 donation from PepsiCo to Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBD). EBD provides free, business-management training for "post-9/11 veterans" with service-related disabilities through participating U.S. university business schools. "Dream Machine" donations in November 2010 totaled $500,000.
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References
- PepsiCo: 2009 Sustainability Report
- PepsiCo: News Release; PepsiCo Dream Machine Recycling Initiative Makes Inaugural $500,000 Donation
- PepsiCo: Contributions; Grants
- PepsiCo: PepsiCo Foundation; Grants
- PepsiCo: The PepsiCo Refresh Project Awards $1.3 Million to Support the Public's Favorite Ideas to Refresh the World
- Refresh Everything: Recycle T-shirts
