Frito-Lay Bets on Sustainability at Modesto, California Plant

Frito-Lay has revealed plans to replace all of its existing diesel-powered freight equipment with zero-emission (ZE) and near-zero emission (NZE) technologies at its Modesto, California manufacturing plant. The scheme is in line with parent company PepsiCo’s mission to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 20% by 2030.

The project will transform the 500,000 sqft. site – one of Frito-Lay’s largest in the U.S. – into an industry-leading showcase for environmentally sustainable manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution, the company says.

The project is a first-of-its-kind for PepsiCo and Frito-Lay and is part of California Climate Investments (CCI), a statewide program that works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen the economy, and improve public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities. CCI funding is awarded by several state agencies, including the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

Expected to be completed in 2021, the USD30.8m Modesto project will integrate an array of commercially available and pre-commercial ZE and NZE technologies in numerous applications, among them fleet vehicles and supporting infrastructure, on-site renewable energy generation, and energy storage systems. The Modesto project will also contribute to industry knowledge of the emerging technologies by funding data collection and reporting of the project results.

The project is the result of a partnership with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD), which received a grant from CCI – matched by investments from Frito-Lay and American Natural Gas (ANG), as well as in-kind contributions from Café Coop – to support the Modesto sustainability initiative.

Frito-Lay has robust capabilities training for the Modesto site's existing associates to learn and operate the new, high-tech fleet equipment.

According to PepsiCo, the Modesto site sends less than 1% of its waste to landfill and leverages improved technologies.

Pictured above (from left to right): Matt Fenton, senior site director, Frito-Lay Modesto; Mike O’Connell, vice president, supply chain, PepsiCo; Dr. Alexander Sherriffs, board member, California Air Resources Board (CARB) and San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD); and Samir Sheikh, executive director, SVJAPCD.