Romeo’s Pizza is a proud sponsor of the Arbor Day Foundation. Taking care of the environment is something that has always been important to us as an organization. In 2019, we committed to taking a slice out of our carbon footprint by replacing 750,000 plastic containers with more sustainable, eco-friendly, and recyclable containers that turn to soil in less than 90 days. To date, we have replaced over 2 million plastic containers with recyclable options.

Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation is the perfect way to continue our eco-friendly mission through their Time for Trees initiative. Together with the Arbor Day Foundation, we will plant 5,000 trees. Romeo’s partnership will support tree replanting in Econfina Creek and Chipola River Watersheds located in Bay, Calhoun and Washington Counties in Florida. This area lost thousands of acres of standing timber as the eye of Hurricane Michael crossed the Chipola River in 2018.

Reforestation provides forage for game and promotes native groundcover, such as wildflowers and other plants. Additional benefits occur for native game and aquatic species that call this area home such as deer, turkey, bobwhite quail, fish and amphibians.

As the Time for Trees initiative gains awareness and momentum in not only the corporate sustainability world but also within the general public, the impact so far is impressive. As of January 1, 2020, more than 66 million trees have been planted. These trees are helping communities recover from natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes. They are replacing majestic trees lost to wildfires in forests across the country. And they are restoring critical rain forest lands devastated by unsustainable forestry and agriculture practices.

Collectively, when you look at the impact of 66 million trees, it’s hard to wrap your head around. These trees will sequester enough carbon to equal taking more than 4.1 million cars off the road for an entire year. They will intercept and filter enough water to fill the water bottle of every person on Earth every day for nearly four years. And they will provide an estimated $500 million in human health benefits.

While 66 million trees planted is an accomplishment Romeo’s is proud to be a part of, we are just as proud to say that this initiative has inspired more than 3.8 million tree planters so far. These are the people making a difference every day right where they live. They are picking up shovels and ensuring that the impact of the Time for Trees initiative reaches far beyond its 100-million-tree goal. This is where the initiative gains real power, and this is how all of us can find a tangible way to improve the Earth for future generations.