Our Commitment to Sustainable Delivery

A Greener Approach to Pizza Delivery

At Salvatore Pizza, we believe that delivering great pizza shouldn't come at the expense of our environment. As a family-owned business with deep roots in California, we're committed to preserving the natural beauty of our state for future generations.

Over the past few years, we've been quietly implementing changes to make our operations more sustainable, with a particular focus on our delivery services. Today, we're excited to share these initiatives with you and outline our roadmap for an even greener future.

Eco-Friendly Packaging Revolution

One of the most visible aspects of our sustainability journey has been the complete overhaul of our packaging materials. Traditional pizza delivery has historically relied on materials that aren't easily recyclable or biodegradable, but we've been working to change that.

Here's what we've accomplished so far:

• Pizza Boxes: Our new boxes are made from 100% post-consumer recycled cardboard and printed with vegetable-based inks. They're fully compostable and contain no harmful chemicals or PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
• No More Plastic Packet Waste: We've eliminated those small plastic packets for crushed red pepper and parmesan. Instead, we now offer these condiments in compostable paper sachets upon request.
• Plant-Based Containers: Our side dishes and dipping sauces now come in containers made from plant-based materials that break down completely in commercial composting facilities.
• Paper Straws and Wooden Utensils: For our beverages and salads, we've switched to paper straws and wooden utensils that don't contribute to plastic pollution.

These changes have already eliminated over 5 tons of plastic waste annually across our California locations. While these eco-friendly alternatives sometimes cost more than conventional packaging, we've chosen to absorb this cost rather than raise prices, because we believe sustainable practices are an investment in our collective future.

Greening Our Delivery Fleet

The transportation aspect of delivery has traditionally been a significant source of environmental impact. We're tackling this challenge on multiple fronts:

• Electric Delivery Vehicles: We've begun transitioning our delivery fleet to electric vehicles, starting with our busiest locations in urban areas. Currently, 30% of our deliveries are made with zero-emission vehicles, and we aim to reach 75% by 2026.
• Optimized Delivery Routes: We've implemented advanced routing software that calculates the most efficient delivery paths, reducing mileage, fuel consumption, and emissions while ensuring your pizza still arrives hot and fresh.
• Bicycle Delivery Program: In dense urban neighborhoods, we've launched a bicycle delivery program using electric-assist cargo bikes. This program has been especially successful in areas with heavy traffic congestion.

Sourcing Locally, Thinking Globally

Sustainability isn't just about packaging and transportation—it extends to how and where we source our ingredients. We're proud of the partnerships we've developed with local California farmers and producers:

• Local Produce: Whenever possible, we source vegetables from farms within a 150-mile radius of our locations, reducing transportation emissions while supporting local agriculture. Currently, about 65% of our fresh produce is locally sourced during California's growing seasons.
• Regenerative Agriculture: We're working with several farms that practice regenerative agriculture—farming techniques that rebuild soil health, increase biodiversity, and capture carbon. Our mozzarella comes from dairies that have implemented these forward-thinking practices.
• Reduced Food Waste: We've implemented precise inventory management systems to minimize food waste, and what unavoidable waste we do generate is composted through local programs that turn it into soil for community gardens.

Our Customers: Partners in Sustainability

We recognize that truly sustainable delivery is a collaborative effort between us and our valued customers. Here are some ways you can help maximize the environmental benefits when ordering from Salvatore Pizza:

• Opt for "No Utensils": If you're eating at home, select the "no utensils needed" option during checkout to reduce unnecessary waste.
• Proper Disposal: Our pizza boxes are compostable, but only if they're not heavily soiled with grease. Consider tearing off any clean portions for recycling and composting the rest if your local facilities accept food-soiled paper.
• Group Orders: When possible, coordinate with neighbors or colleagues for group orders, which reduces the number of delivery trips and associated emissions.
• Provide Feedback: We're constantly looking to improve our sustainability efforts. If you have suggestions or ideas, we'd love to hear them!

Looking Ahead: Our Sustainability Roadmap

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

1. Carbon-Neutral Delivery by 2027: Through continued fleet electrification, carbon offsets for unavoidable emissions, and other initiatives, we aim to make all deliveries carbon-neutral within three years.
2. Zero Waste Operations: We're working toward zero waste certification for all our locations, diverting at least 90% of our waste from landfills through reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.
3. Renewable Energy: We're in the process of transitioning all our locations to renewable energy through a combination of on-site solar installations and renewable energy credits.
4. Water Conservation: California's water challenges are well-known. We're implementing water-saving technologies in all our kitchens to reduce our water footprint.