PepsiCo invests in water stewardship and wetland restoration in China

PepsiCo is expanding its investment in water conservation and ecosystem restoration in China.

In Gaozhai village, Xi'an, Shaanxi province, five ponds that had previously dried up have been connected to form a small wetland system that helps purify river water and restore habitats for birds. Local villagers help patrol and maintain the restored site, participating in changes to their surrounding environment.

The transformation is part of a Qingshui River wetland restoration project launched in 2024. PepsiCo has contributed funding and technical expertise to support the project's implementation and long-term sustainability.

The project reconnects the wetlands, using sedimentation, plant filtration and natural aeration to clean river water before returning it to the watercourse.

During its first year of operation, it purified more than 580 million liters of water, equivalent to 232 Olympic-size swimming pools, according to the company.

Monitoring in 2025 showed an improvement in surface-water quality from below Class V at the inlet to an average Class III level at the outlet, a level suitable for fish spawning and aquaculture.