Environmental Leader

After modifications, the Frito-Lay plant in Casa Grande, Ariz., has achieved energy savings of 20 percent and water savings of 17 percent, when compared to 2006.

The building also holds the distinction of becoming the first food manufacturing site in the nation to earn Gold status under the LEED Existing Building certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, according to a press release.

The energy savings come from using a heat recovery system that preheats cooking oil on the production line, skylights in office areas and high efficiency ovens.

In addition to water-saving technologies in the manufacturing line, water-efficient landscaping is helping decrease water usage 17 percent.

The plant also has a zero landfill policy, with more than 99 percent of waste diverted from landfills. This is achieved by recycling, reusing cardboard shipping boxes and saving waste product for use in animal feed.

Even greater energy and water savings are in store for the site. Frito-Lay, which is a division of PepsiCo, says that eventually it will reduce water and electricity consumption by 90 percent, and natural gas use by 80 percent, although it did not specify by what means it would accomplish this.

Frito-Lay has made strides toward reducing energy use at other locations, too.

The firm added a cogeneration system at its Killingly, Conn., plant. The co-gen system allows Frito-Lay to operate off the grid, and the system has the added benefit of producing steam that can be used in the production of snack items.

The company also is among the first companies in the nation to adopt the Smith Newton electric delivery trucks.