At Crust Pizza Australia, we believe that delivering exceptional pizza shouldn't come at the expense of our planet. As a leading pizza delivery brand across Australia, we recognize our responsibility to minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Today, we're excited to share some of the initiatives we've implemented across our operations to reduce our ecological footprint.

Sourcing Locally and Sustainably

One of our core sustainability principles is sourcing ingredients locally whenever possible. By partnering with Australian farmers and producers, we not only support the local economy but also significantly reduce the carbon emissions associated with transporting ingredients from overseas.

Currently, over 85% of our ingredients are sourced within Australia, and we're working to increase this percentage even further. Our tomatoes come from the fertile regions of Victoria, our cheese is produced by family-owned dairies, and many of our specialty ingredients are sourced from local artisanal producers.

Beyond just buying local, we're also committed to ethical sourcing. We're progressively transitioning to suppliers who practice sustainable agriculture, including:

• Farms using water-efficient irrigation systems
• Producers practicing regenerative agriculture techniques
• Dairy suppliers with humane animal welfare standards
• Growers who minimize chemical pesticide and fertilizer use

Reducing Packaging Waste

The pizza delivery industry has traditionally relied heavily on single-use packaging. At Crust, we've been working diligently to revolutionize our approach to packaging to minimize waste and environmental impact.

Key initiatives include:

• Transitioning to 100% recyclable pizza boxes: Our pizza boxes are now made from recycled cardboard and are fully recyclable (as long as they're not heavily soiled with food).
• Compostable containers for sides: We've replaced plastic containers for garlic bread, sides, and desserts with compostable alternatives made from plant-based materials.
• Minimal packaging design: We've redesigned our packaging to use less material while maintaining product integrity during delivery.
• Eliminating unnecessary items: We've made plastic cutlery optional rather than automatically included, significantly reducing waste.
• "No napkins" option: Customers can now opt out of receiving paper napkins if they don't need them.

These changes have already resulted in a 30% reduction in packaging waste across our network, and we're not stopping there. Our research and development team is constantly exploring innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.

Energy Efficiency in Our Stores

Pizza production is energy-intensive, particularly because of our ovens. We've been systematically upgrading our stores to improve energy efficiency:

• Energy-efficient ovens: We're progressively replacing older ovens with new, energy-efficient models that maintain the perfect cooking temperature while using less power.
• LED lighting: All new and renovated Crust locations use 100% LED lighting, reducing electricity consumption by up to 80% compared to traditional lighting.
• Smart thermostats and timers: Automated systems ensure we're only using energy when and where it's needed.
• Renewable energy: Several of our locations now use solar power, and we have a plan to expand this to more stores over the next five years.

Through these measures, we've reduced the average energy consumption per store by 22% compared to 2019 levels, with a target to reach 40% reduction by 2026.

Delivery Fleet Optimization

Delivery is a fundamental part of our business, but we recognize that traditional delivery methods can have a significant carbon footprint. We're taking several approaches to address this:

• Electric delivery vehicles: We've begun transitioning our company-owned delivery fleet to electric vehicles in metro areas, with 20% of our fleet now electric.
• Route optimization: Our delivery app uses advanced algorithms to optimize delivery routes, reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
• Bicycle deliveries: In dense urban areas, we're increasingly using bicycle couriers for deliveries within a 2km radius.
• Carbon offset program: For deliveries that still require traditional vehicles, we've implemented a carbon offset program that invests in Australian reforestation projects.

These initiatives have already reduced our delivery-related carbon emissions by 15%, with a goal to achieve a 50% reduction by 2027.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Beyond packaging, we're committed to reducing waste throughout our operations:

• Food waste program: We've partnered with food rescue organizations to donate surplus ingredients to those in need, diverting food from landfill while supporting our communities.
• Composting: Many of our locations now compost food scraps, contributing to circular economy practices.
• Comprehensive recycling: All stores have implemented comprehensive recycling programs for cardboard, plastic, glass, and metal.
• Oil recycling: Used cooking oil is collected and converted to biodiesel rather than being discarded.

Through these efforts, we've reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 40% compared to 2020 levels.

Water Conservation

In a country as drought-prone as Australia, water conservation is critical. We've implemented several measures to reduce water usage:

• Water-efficient dishwashers and tap fittings
• Staff training on water conservation practices
• Regular audits to identify and fix leaks
• Rainwater harvesting systems at select locations

Our Sustainability Roadmap

While we're proud of the progress we've made, we recognize that sustainability is a journey, not a destination. Our sustainability roadmap includes ambitious targets for the coming years:

• Achieve carbon neutrality across all operations by 2030
• Transition to 100% renewable energy by 2028
• Eliminate all non-recyclable or non-compostable packaging by 2025
• Increase locally-sourced ingredients to 95% by 2026
• Reduce water consumption by 25% by 2025 (compared to 2020 levels)

Join Us on Our Sustainability Journey

As customers, you can help support our sustainability efforts in several ways:

• Recycle your pizza boxes (if they're not heavily soiled)
• Opt for the "no cutlery" and "no napkins" options when ordering
• Consider ordering pickup if you live close to a Crust location
• Provide feedback on our sustainability initiatives – we're always looking to improve!

At Crust Pizza, we believe that small changes can make a big difference. By continuously improving our practices and working together with our customers and communities, we can enjoy delicious pizza while taking care of our planet for future generations.

We invite you to follow our sustainability journey on social media and through our regular updates on this blog. Together, we can make a positive impact while enjoying Australia's favorite premium pizza!