Producing Energy and Fertilizer from Waste with Circular Economy Practices

Acting with the vision of Net Zero Waste, PepsiCo Turkey continues to be an example and pioneer in the world of PepsiCo, by producing its own energy and its own fertilizers, with its circular economy-based practices.

PepsiCo Turkey, which needs accelerated actions as the devastating effects of climate change are felt worldwide and the global food system is under significant pressure, carries out all its operations in the production phase with the mission of creating a positive environmental, social and economic impact in order to create a sustainable food system.

With this understanding, PepsiCo Turkey implements a circular economy model extending from the field to the factory in order to reach a better future in line with its vision of global sustainability. It sets an example for other countries in the PepsiCo world with the projects and practices it has implemented. PepsiCo Turkey, whose factories are all certified with the Zero Waste Certificate of the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization, produces its own energy in its factories and the fertilizer used in potato production, one of the most important agricultural inputs, with its Net Zero Waste vision and circular economy practices.

PepsiCo Turkey, which has reached the target of 100% renewable electricity in its factories, obtains approximately 50% of its electricity needs from waste.
One of the most important parts of PepsiCo Turkey’s work on environmental sustainability is energy production from renewable, clean and cyclical sources. The company also carries out exemplary works in Turkey and in the world in terms of generating energy from waste. PepsiCo, in Suadiye and Tarsus Plants since 2007; Biodegradable Waste Processing – Biomethanization licensed Organic Waste Processing Facilities; It obtains biogas by using discarded product-raw materials and treatment sludge resulting from the production activities of its factories. The gas obtained by the cogeneration system is converted into electrical energy.

As of 2020 and 2021, PepsiCo has increased the electricity production capacity in its Organic Waste Processing Facilities, and 50% of the electricity needs of its factories have started to be met from these facilities. The company, which produces electrical energy in both food and beverage factories, has started a new project to generate electrical energy from its products that have expired as of 2021. PepsiCo Turkey, which supplies the rest of its electricity needs from solar panels and companies that provide renewable electricity, is one of the first countries in the world to reach the 100% Renewable energy target.

40% reduction in the amount of chemicals used in potato production with the Naturalis project
“Naturalis” is one of the most important projects developed by PepsiCo Turkey for the formation of a sustainable food system. With the Naturalis project; After electricity generation, the sludge that is formed in the anaerobic digesters in the organic waste processing plant and has fermented fertilizer characteristics, is sent to the contracted fertilizer production company after dewatering. After the necessary mineral additions to be used in the cultivation processes of the potato, which is one of the most important raw materials, it gains fertilizer properties. The product, which has become fertilizer, is delivered to the farmers that PepsiCo works within the scope of contract agriculture, creating a sustainable production chain with the Naturalis brand. The Naturalis brand is also one of the pioneering enterprises registered in organo-mineral fertilizers in Turkey. With the Naturalis project, PepsiCo Turkey has achieved an important success by reducing the amount of chemicals in potato production by 40% and carbon emissions by 11.5%. The project, which was implemented entirely with Turkish Engineers, is now exported to more than one PepsiCo business unit.