PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y. placed the first hydrofluorocarbon-free (HFC-free) coolers in the United States throughout Miami as part of a pilot project to reduce the carbon footprint of its refrigeration equipment. The 35 new coolers use less energy than a 100-watt light bulb.

 

"PepsiCo is strongly committed to reducing its carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its coolers," said Robert Lewis, vice president of packaging and equipment for PepsiCo, in a statement. "Energy consumption accounts for at least 95 percent of GHG emissions in coolers, and introducing these energy-efficient, HFC-free coolers is the next step in PepsiCo's strategic sustainability initiative to reduce harmful emissions from all of its refrigeration equipment."

 

On average, the new units use 44 percent less energy than 2008 models and 20 percent less energy than Energy Star requirements, the company said. In addition, the new units use hydrocarbon R290, a natural, environmentally responsible refrigerant that cuts direct GHG emissions by 99 percent.

 

"In addition to reducing energy consumption, we also continue to focus on using natural refrigerants — hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) — to phase out harmful HFCs from our machines," Lewis said. "We introduced the first vending machine using CO2 technology to the U.S. market last year, and today we are introducing the first HC cooler to the U.S. market."

 

PepsiCo placed coolers at Sun Life Stadium for the Super Bowl. In addition, coolers were placed at American Airlines Arena, one of the first LEED-certified arenas in the country, and at Florida International University. Additional coolers were placed in various retail, grocery and convenience stores throughout Miami.