Sustainability in Pizza Delivery: Our Green Initiatives

At Pizzaville, we believe that delivering great pizza shouldn't come at the expense of the planet. As a growing company with a presence across Canada, we recognize our responsibility to operate in an environmentally conscious way. Earth Day seems like the perfect opportunity to share the steps we're taking to make our pizza delivery operations more sustainable and reduce our environmental footprint.

Our Sustainability Journey

When we founded Pizzaville in 2010, sustainability wasn't at the forefront of the pizza delivery industry. Like many food delivery services, we initially focused on convenience, speed, and food quality. However, as we grew and saw the environmental impact of our operations, we knew we needed to make changes.

In 2018, we launched our "Greener Slice" initiative—a comprehensive plan to transform every aspect of our business with sustainability in mind. Today, we're proud of the progress we've made, though we recognize there's still much work to be done. Here's a look at the key areas where we're making changes:

Eco-Friendly Packaging Revolution

One of the most visible aspects of any delivery service is its packaging, and traditionally, pizza delivery has relied heavily on materials that aren't easily recycled or composted. We've taken significant steps to address this challenge:

• Compostable Pizza Boxes: We've transitioned to 100% compostable pizza boxes made from sustainably sourced, FSC-certified cardboard. These boxes break down completely in commercial composting facilities, which are increasingly available across Canadian cities.
• Plant-Based Box Liners: The grease-resistant liners in our boxes are now made from plant-based materials rather than traditional plastic-based coatings, making the entire box compostable.
• Minimal Packaging Design: We've redesigned our boxes to use 18% less material while maintaining performance, saving over 45 tonnes of cardboard annually.
• Eco-Friendly Dipping Cups: Our sauce containers are now made from compostable PLA (polylactic acid) derived from renewable resources like corn starch, replacing the petroleum-based plastics we previously used.

These changes have allowed us to divert over 85% of our packaging waste from landfills, when properly disposed of by customers.

Greening Our Delivery Fleet

Pizza delivery traditionally relies on gasoline-powered vehicles, which contribute significantly to carbon emissions. We're transforming our delivery methods with several innovative approaches:

• Electric Vehicle Transition: We've begun converting our company-owned delivery fleet to electric vehicles (EVs), with 40% of our urban delivery vehicles now electric. We plan to reach 75% by 2026.
• E-Bikes for Urban Delivery: In dense urban areas like downtown Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, we've introduced electric cargo bikes for deliveries within a 2km radius of our stores. These bikes produce zero emissions, avoid traffic congestion, and often deliver faster than cars in busy areas.
• Carbon Offset Program: For remaining fossil fuel vehicles, we've implemented a carbon offset program that invests in Canadian renewable energy and reforestation projects, making our delivery operations carbon-neutral while we complete our transition to zero-emission vehicles.
• Driver Training: All our delivery drivers receive training in eco-driving techniques, which has reduced fuel consumption by an average of 15% while improving safety.

Together, these initiatives have reduced our delivery-related carbon emissions by 35% since 2021, with ongoing improvements as we continue our fleet transition.

Local and Sustainable Sourcing

A truly sustainable approach to food service must consider the ingredients themselves and how they're sourced. We're making significant changes to our supply chain:

• Canadian-Grown Produce: We source over 70% of our vegetables from Canadian farms when in season, reducing food miles and supporting local agriculture. We're working to increase this percentage every year.
• Sustainable Cheese Production: Our mozzarella comes from Canadian dairy producers who have implemented methane capture systems and sustainable farming practices, reducing the climate impact of our most-used ingredient.
• Ethical Meat Sourcing: All our meat toppings come from suppliers who adhere to humane animal welfare standards, and we're increasing our offerings of plant-based protein alternatives.
• Food Waste Reduction: We've implemented precise inventory management systems that have reduced our food waste by 32% since 2020, and what waste we do generate is composted where facilities exist.

By focusing on local sourcing when possible, we're not only reducing our environmental impact but also supporting Canadian farmers and food producers.

Energy-Efficient Operations

Pizza production is energy-intensive, particularly the ovens required to cook at high temperatures. We're implementing several strategies to reduce energy use across our operations:

• High-Efficiency Ovens: We've invested in new-generation pizza ovens that use 30% less energy while maintaining the high temperatures needed for perfect pizza. These ovens also heat up faster, allowing us to reduce idle time.
• Renewable Energy Transition: 22 of our locations now run on 100% renewable electricity through utility green power programs or on-site solar installations, with plans to reach all locations by 2027.
• LED Lighting: All Pizzaville locations have converted to LED lighting, reducing electricity use for lighting by up to 75%.
• Smart HVAC Systems: We've implemented smart thermostats and efficient HVAC systems that have reduced heating and cooling energy use by 28%.

These energy efficiency measures have reduced our per-store energy consumption by 35% compared to our 2018 baseline, even as our production volumes have increased.

Water Conservation Efforts

Food service operations typically use significant amounts of water. We're working to reduce our water footprint through several initiatives:

• Low-Flow Fixtures: All our locations have been equipped with low-flow faucets and spray valves that maintain cleaning effectiveness while using less water.
• Water-Efficient Dishwashing: We've installed high-efficiency dishwashers that use 40% less water than conventional models.
• Process Optimization: We've revised our food prep and cleaning procedures to minimize water use without compromising food safety or cleanliness.

These changes have reduced our water consumption by approximately 1.2 million liters annually across our network.

Community Engagement and Education

We believe that sustainable practices extend beyond our own operations to how we engage with our customers and communities:

• Opt-In Extras: Our online ordering system now makes napkins, utensils, and other disposable items opt-in rather than automatic, reducing waste from unwanted items.
• Proper Disposal Information: All our packaging includes clear instructions for proper recycling or composting, helping customers dispose of materials correctly.
• Community Clean-Up Events: Pizzaville teams participate in regular community clean-up events in the neighborhoods we serve, helping to keep Canada beautiful.
• School Programs: We offer educational presentations to local schools about sustainable food systems and the importance of reducing waste.

By engaging our customers and communities in our sustainability journey, we're working to create positive change beyond our immediate operations.

Measuring Our Impact

We believe in accountability and transparency in our sustainability efforts. Since 2020, we've been comprehensively measuring our environmental impact across several key metrics:

• Carbon Footprint: We conduct annual carbon footprint assessments covering Scope 1, 2, and key Scope 3 emissions.
• Waste Audits: Regular waste audits help us identify opportunities for further waste reduction.
• Water Usage Tracking: We monitor water consumption across all locations to track progress and identify issues.
• Energy Monitoring: Real-time energy monitoring systems help us optimize energy use and quickly address inefficiencies.

This data-driven approach ensures we're making meaningful progress rather than just implementing superficial changes.

Our Sustainability Roadmap

While we're proud of our progress, we recognize that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Here's what we're working toward in the coming years:

• Carbon Neutral by 2026: We aim to make our entire operation carbon neutral by 2026 through continued emissions reductions and verified carbon offsets.
• Zero Waste to Landfill by 2027: We're working toward diverting 100% of our operational waste from landfills through reduction, recycling, and composting initiatives.
• 100% Renewable Energy by 2027: We plan to power all Pizzaville locations with renewable energy within the next three years.
• Closed-Loop Packaging System: We're developing partnerships to create a more circular approach to our packaging, potentially including in-store collection of used pizza boxes for proper composting.

We're committed to transparent reporting on our progress toward these goals, including both our successes and challenges.

Join Us in Making a Difference

Sustainability is a collaborative effort, and we invite our customers to join us in reducing the environmental impact of pizza delivery:

• Properly recycle or compost our packaging according to your local guidelines
• Consider walking or biking to pick up your pizza if you live close to a Pizzaville location
• Try our delicious plant-based options, which generally have a lower environmental footprint
• Provide feedback on our sustainability initiatives and suggest areas for improvement

We believe that even small changes, when made by many, can create significant positive impact.

At Pizzaville, our commitment to sustainability is driven by our love for Canada's natural beauty and our desire to ensure that future generations can enjoy both great pizza and a healthy planet. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far and excited about the journey ahead.