Dear PepsiCo,

            We want to commend you for your recent efforts to make your products more sensitive to environmental concerns. We think that the compostable Sun Chips bags are fantastically innovative and crucial in making the necessary first steps in reducing the detrimental effects of the waste we create. However, we think more can be done. One area in which improvement can be made is in the design of your disposable beverage cups. By designing and supplying a compostable cup, PepsiCo could operate in a more environmentally friendly manner and gain an edge in the beverage provider market.

            Santa Clara University has recently attempted to shift to a zero waste model and started a composting program in order to drastically reduce the amount of waste we send to our landfill. We have implemented the use of compostable plates, napkins, cutlery, and packaging however the popular blue Pepsi cups are one of the few items left that are preventing us from zero waste. As we have the dual goal of maintaining our contract with PepsiCo as the provider of beverages on campus and furthering our composting program, we the students of Santa Clara University propose that you produce and make a widely available compostable cup. We believe that these cups will not only benefit PepsiCo by becoming a leader in environmental responsibility, but will also help promote the environmental movement to consume more sustainably. More and more, people are considering the environmental implications of their purchases, and providing this cup would give PepsiCo an edge over competitors.

            We are aware that Coca-Cola has a compostable cup that was used during the Olympics, but faulted in not making this cup widely available. Pepsi has the opportunity to be the forerunner in sustainability by making a compostable cup that could be used by all of its costumers.

Sincerely,

            The Students of Santa Clara University

Links