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The Pepsi Bottling Group has received a 2007 Green Power Leadership award from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The annual awards recognize the country's leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's green power market.

PBG purchased renewable energy certificates that are used to fund the development of green power sources. The purchase represents 100 percent of the company's electricity needs and places PBG fourth on the EPA's Top 25 Green Power list.

"Promoting sustainability is a major priority for our organization, and we will continually seek new opportunities to embrace clean technology throughout all aspects of our business," said Eric Foss, PBG's president and chief executive officer, in a prepared statement. "It's an honor to have the EPA endorse our green power investments. They have done a tremendous job promoting the qualities of environmental stewardship, and PBG looks forward to doing its part to improve environmental quality for future generations."

The purchase of renewable energy certificates is one of several steps PBG is taking to reduce its environmental footprint and improve the communities in which it operates. The company is focused on four key areas where it can have the greatest impact: water conservation, energy management, recycling, and solid waste reduction.

Recent highlights of the company's ongoing sustainability initiatives include:

• PBG reduces water usage through the application of innovative design and technology, thereby conserving millions of gallons per year.
• PBG is embarking on an initiative to more efficiently manage its delivery routes. This will mean fewer trucks on the road and decreased emissions.
• The water bottles produced by PBG weigh 14 percent to 22 percent less today (depending on size) than they did just three years ago. In partnership with other Pepsi bottlers, the weight reductions on Aquafina bottles alone save 35 million pounds of plastic annually.
• PBG recycles tons of materials in its production facilities, and is expanding its efforts to increase recycling rates on items including corrugate, shrink wrap, and electronic equipment. To help accomplish this goal, the Company is developing partnerships with national recycling vendors to help identify recycling opportunities and create best practices. More than 77 percent of the waste produced by PBG plants is currently recycled.

"America is shifting to a 'green culture,' with more and more businesses understanding that environmental responsibility is everyone's responsibility," said Marcus Peacock, EPA's deputy administrator, in a prepared statement. "EPA commends the Green Power Leadership Award winners for making a long-term commitment to protecting the environment by purchasing green power."

PBG is one of 17 companies honored by the EPA for their commitment to green power. PepsiCo, which owns about a 40 percent stake in PBG, was also recognized. PepsiCo ranks first on the EPA's Green Power list.

"Green power" is defined as electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with zero anthropogenic (caused by humans) carbon dioxide emissions and offer a superior environmental profile to conventional power generation. In addition, buying green power helps support the development of new renewable energy capacity nationwide.