Along with a new, supposedly more youthful and hip logo redesign, Pepsi is launching an energy-conscious effort to keep themselves relevant to the Pepsi generation -- energy-sipping vending machines. The cola giant is rolling out 30 test machines in the Washington DC area to field test the greener vending machines with a 15% lighter energy footprint than current machines -- which are already 44% more efficient than those from six years ago.

Will your Pepsi be as cold and refreshing from a machine that uses only 5.08 kWh per day, rather that 6 kWh? That's what Pepsi hope to find out with these tests. The machines, which will generate 12% less greenhouse gases emissions will get the title of being the first green vending machines in the US (although Coca-Cola operates HFC free machines in the UK and at the Beijing Olympics). If successful, the energy efficient vending cola incubators will go worldwide over the next few years. Pepsi operates about 5 million vending machines globally.

The fifth annual list of the world's 100 Most Sustainable Corporations has been released by Corporate Knights Inc and Innovest Strategic Value Advisors. Companies are judged by their performance on social, environmental and strategic governance issues. This is not so much a list of how eco-friendly a company is but rather how well they manage and respond to growing environmental and social concerns and still make a buck.

The United States led with 20 companies with the UK following right behind with 19. The were some changes from 2008 as a third of the companies dropped off the list to make room for newcomers. Some of the U.S. companies include Nike, Amazon.com, Hewlett-Packard Company, Dell and Coca Cola Company.

[via: Environmental Leader]

Sure, you might think you're doing all the right things, using public transportation, buying carbon offsets, shopping locally and changing all of your lightbulbs. And a carbon neutral lifestyle is great, but so very last month.

Now you need to be water neutral, too.

Water neutral is the latest green catch phrase which came to most of our attention last year when Coca Cola pledged to account and compensate for all of the water it uses -- literally all of it -- through conservation and recycling programs.

The term was actually first used in 2002 at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, and has become another important consideration for conservationists and corporations. Without water, we can't survive.

Knowledge is the first step. You can use this water consumption calculator to figure how much water you consume, and adjust your activities accordingly. And of course, as a consumer you can vote with your pocketbook, patronizing corporations with a lower water footprint.

Just one more thing to think about while you're brushing your teeth. And hey, remember to turn off the faucet!

Even Coca Cola is jumping on the green fashion bandwagon. The soft drink giant just launched a new line of "sustainable fashion," t-shirts -- they are made from cotton and polyethylene terephthalate.

The company used the bottles thrown away at the games to create the t-shirts. Each design sported an image with 5 Coke bottles on the back, which was the number of bottle recovered to make it. On the front, the shirts displayed the words, "I'm from Earth."

Would you pay more for carbon neutral shipping? DHL is offering a new service to its customers in the European and Asia Pacific service areas that attempts to make the package delivery business more carbon-conscious. it's called "GoGreen Express," and it basically gives customers a choice to pay a 3% rate hike in order to offset their package's carbon output.

GoGreen Express is latest of many announcements from shipping companies who are voluntarily greening their business model. For example, giants like Fedex, Coca Cola and UPS recently announced that they were buying hybrid delivery trucks for their North American operations. While DHL has yet to announce a switch when it comes to their trucks, the new GoGreen program will invest the 3% surcharge in 1 of 3 carbon friendly schemes: fuel vehicle technology, refortestation, solar panels.

All of the offsets will be overseen by the Swiss certification company, Societe Generale de Surveillance to ensure the effectiveness and transparency of the program. It makes me feel left out that we don't get the option yet in the US. You'd think it would be a good way to differentiate their brand from the big 2. Hopefully, DHL will roll out the GoGreen service in North America soon.

[via AutoBlogGreen]

Truckers aren't often associated with the environmental movement -- unless they're displaying a Willie-diesel bumper sticker -- but their role is actually pretty vital. Truckers hauled 58% of freight in the US in 2002, so their fuel efficiency has a huge impact on the environmental footprint on most of the products we consume.

Good news, the eco-truckin' movement is underway and Coca-Cola is leading by example -- ordering 120 new trucks powered by Eaton's hybrid drivetrains. It's the largest order of Eaton's hybrid systems to date in North America and hopefully it marks the beginning of a shift towards a more carbon-conscious shipping industry. The new trucks will be getting 37% better fuel economy while producing 32% less emissions. According to Coke's fleet buyer:

"In addition to the environmentally friendly advantages that hybrid vehicles deliver, we are also happy to report that driver acceptance has been highly favorable, especially in high start-and-stop applications. The hybrid drive units have been performing very well in communicating with the electronic engines, always giving us the necessary torque and horsepower when it is needed."

Coca Cola truckers are happy because they get new trucks, and we're happy because the new trucks are hybrids. Everybody wins! Go drink some Coke -- in moderation.

[via Treehugger]