Sustainable Practices at Freshslice Pizza

At Freshslice Pizza, we believe that serving great food comes with a responsibility to care for the planet that provides our ingredients. That's why sustainability isn't just a buzzword for us – it's a core principle that guides our decision-making across all aspects of our business.

Today, we're excited to share some of the initiatives we've implemented to reduce our environmental footprint while continuing to serve the delicious pizza you love.

Our Sustainability Journey

Our commitment to sustainability began in earnest in 2018 when we conducted our first comprehensive environmental audit. This eye-opening process helped us identify key areas where we could make meaningful improvements:

• Packaging waste
• Food waste
• Energy consumption
• Ingredient sourcing
• Water usage

Rather than trying to tackle everything at once, we developed a phased approach, setting ambitious but achievable goals for each area. Here's what we've accomplished so far and what we're working toward.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Innovations

Pizza boxes are an essential part of our business, but traditional boxes can have a significant environmental impact. We've made several changes to reduce this impact:

Compostable Pizza Boxes

Our pizza boxes are now made from 100% recycled cardboard and are fully compostable. They're produced using water-based inks and adhesives, making them safe for food composting programs.

Minimalist Design

We've redesigned our packaging to use less ink while maintaining brand recognition. This seemingly small change reduces the environmental impact of the printing process and improves recyclability.

Napkins and Smaller Items

All our napkins are made from 100% recycled paper, and we've implemented dispensers that reduce waste by dispensing one napkin at a time. Our plastic utensils have been replaced with plant-based alternatives that are compostable.

Packaging Reduction

We've eliminated unnecessary packaging elements and are constantly looking for ways to reduce packaging without compromising food safety or quality. For example, our dine-in locations now use reusable plates and utensils wherever possible.

Sustainable Ingredient Sourcing

Great pizza starts with great ingredients, and we believe those ingredients should be produced in ways that respect both people and planet.

Local Sourcing

Whenever possible, we source ingredients locally to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies. Currently, 65% of our fresh produce comes from farms within 250km of our restaurants during growing season.

Responsible Dairy

Our cheese comes from dairy farms that adhere to strict animal welfare standards and sustainable farming practices. We're working toward having 100% of our dairy supply come from certified sustainable sources by 2025.

Ethical Meat Sourcing

We're transitioning our meat toppings to suppliers that follow humane animal handling practices and use fewer antibiotics. We've also expanded our plant-based protein options to provide more environmentally-friendly choices for our customers.

Seasonal Menu Adaptations

We've begun introducing seasonal specialty pizzas that showcase locally available ingredients at their peak, reducing the environmental impact of long-distance shipping while offering the freshest flavors.

Food Waste Reduction

Food waste is a major environmental issue, with significant impacts on climate change. We're tackling this challenge through several approaches:

Improved Inventory Management

We've implemented advanced inventory tracking systems that help us order more precisely, reducing overstock and spoilage.

Donation Programs

Through partnerships with local food banks and community organizations, we donate unsold but perfectly good food at the end of each day. Last year alone, this program provided over 15,000 meals to people in need.

Composting Initiatives

Food scraps that can't be repurposed are sent to commercial composting facilities rather than landfills. This significantly reduces methane emissions while creating valuable soil amendments.

Staff Training

All Freshslice team members receive training on food waste reduction techniques, from proper storage to creative repurposing of ingredients.

Energy and Water Conservation

Pizza production is energy-intensive, particularly due to our ovens. We've made significant investments to reduce our energy footprint:

Energy-Efficient Equipment

As we upgrade equipment across our locations, we're choosing high-efficiency models that use significantly less energy. Our newest ovens use 30% less energy than conventional pizza ovens while maintaining perfect cooking performance.

LED Lighting

All Freshslice locations have converted to LED lighting, reducing electricity use for illumination by up to 75%.

Water-Saving Fixtures

Low-flow faucets and water-efficient dishwashers have been installed across our locations, reducing water consumption by approximately 40% compared to conventional equipment.

Green Energy

Where available, we're transitioning to renewable energy sources. Currently, 35% of our locations use electricity from certified renewable sources, with a goal to reach 75% by 2026.

Transportation and Delivery

Getting pizza from our ovens to your table also has environmental implications that we're working to address:

Delivery Route Optimization

Our delivery app uses advanced algorithms to optimize delivery routes, reducing fuel consumption and emissions while getting your pizza to you as quickly as possible.

Electric Delivery Vehicles

We're piloting electric delivery vehicles at select locations, with plans to expand this program as infrastructure improves. These vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions and are particularly well-suited for urban deliveries.

Bicycle Delivery

In dense urban areas, we've introduced bicycle delivery options, which produce no emissions and can often navigate traffic more efficiently than cars.

Our Ongoing Commitment

Sustainability isn't a destination but a journey of continuous improvement. We've set ambitious goals for the coming years:

• Achieve carbon neutrality for our operations by 2030
• Eliminate all non-recyclable or non-compostable packaging by 2025
• Reduce food waste by 50% compared to our 2019 baseline
• Source 80% of ingredients from sustainable or regenerative agriculture by 2027
• Eliminate single-use plastics entirely from our operations by 2026

How You Can Help

Our customers play an important role in our sustainability efforts. Here are some ways you can help:

• Properly dispose of or compost our packaging
• Consider ordering pickup instead of delivery when convenient
• Try our plant-forward menu options, which generally have a lower environmental impact
• Let us know if you don't need utensils or napkins when ordering
• Share feedback and suggestions for how we can improve our sustainability practices

Looking Forward

We're proud of the progress we've made, but we recognize there's much more work to be done. As technology advances and new solutions become available, we'll continue adapting our practices to reduce our environmental impact.

At Freshslice, we believe that small changes, when multiplied across our entire operation, can make a significant difference. We're committed to proving that it's possible to serve delicious, affordable pizza while being responsible stewards of the environment.

Thank you for supporting our sustainability journey. Together, we can enjoy great pizza today while helping ensure a healthier planet for tomorrow.