PepsiCo program brings in 160 million containers for recycling

PepsiCo’s 2017-2018 Recycle Rally program encouraged participating schools to start recycling, bringing in more than 160 million recycled beverage containers from the 4,000 schools enrolled in the program.

Recycle Rally, formed under Purchase, New York-based PepsiCo and its Performance with Purpose initiative, aims to increase the recycling rate of beverage containers by encouraging recycling habits in K-12 students.

“We recognize that teachers care about the planet as much as we do, and they serve as tremendous advocates to help students to get in the habit of recycling,” says Tom Mooradian, manager of Environmental Sustainability at PepsiCo. “Once the students become consistent recyclers, then they often bring their families and friends along too.”

Mooradian says Recycle Rally makes recycling fun by using interactive tools, such as customized “your impact” reports, frequent promotional events and reward points that can be redeemed for recycling equipment and merchandise. Recycle Rally also provides educational activities, videos and worksheets to assist teachers as they implement the program.

“Recycle Rally schools can take advantage of contests and promotions, have opportunities to earn valuable prizes for their school and gain access to resources that can help tie students’ real-world experience with recycling into the classroom-learning environment,” says Mooradian.

According to the company, as part of its national recycling competition, PepsiCo Recycling awarded $20,000 to first-place winner Arnold Elementary School, San Antonio, and $15,000 to second-place winner Pine Forest High School, Fayetteville, North Carolina. The collection of more than 160 million beverage containers marks a near 450 percent increase from last year’s totals, reports Mooradian.

He says any school can get involved with Recycle Rally. Adults affiliated with a K-12 school can sign up here. He also encourages students under 18 to get involved by reaching out to a school employee or the PTA.

“We have heard from many participating schools that Recycle Rally has not only helped increase interest in recycling but has also served as a catalyst for students to develop leadership skills and bond with one another,” says Mooradian.

PepsiCo says it strives to design its packaging to be recyclable, compostable or biodegradable. It also aims to increase recycled materials in its plastic packaging, reduce packaging’s carbon impact, and in partnership with the PepsiCo Foundation, work to increase recycling rates.

“We’re proud of how our partnerships and programs like Recycle Rally contribute to increasing recycling rates across the nation,” Mooradian says.