Walkers: less fat, less CO2
PepsiCo

Overview

In 2006 Walkers became the first company to team up with the Carbon Trust to map a product’s carbon content.  Their Cheese & Onion crisps were the first to have their product journey scrutinised, from fertiliser to field, shop to home and disposal.

This, the first ever, carbon footprinting exercise was also one of the most complex. When they found that only 30% of the carbon emissions were produced while under the direct control of PepsiCo UK & Ireland (Walkers’ parent company), they embarked on an ambitious programme of supplier education.

What they did

Walkers also set about implementing the following measures:

• Improving energy efficiency at its Leicester factory (the world’s largest crisp manufacturing plant) and at other sites
• Switching to 100% British potatoes to reduce food miles
• Getting the word out through the Carbon Trust to ensure consumers understood the significance of the world’s first ever Carbon Reduction Label

They also ran publicity campaigns to build awareness and understanding of what a footprint is, and how recognition of what it means can contribute to a better future for us all. 

The results

In just two years Walkers has eaten away at its carbon footprint by 7% (or 6g of CO2) to 80g per packet.  Today they are championing global studies into product footprinting and standard-setting, and aim to convert all their direct operations to 100% renewable energy and running its lorries off Walkers waste oil.

Carbon footprint breakdown

To secure the Carbon Reduction Label, Walker’s total carbon footprint from its materials and manufacture, transport, in-use and end of life were measured.

How this is broken down:

Raw Materials	Manufacturing	Packaging	Distribution & Store	Use & Disposal
36%	17%	34%	10%	3%