Pizza Fusion Receives Environmental Business Award
The Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department has recognized Pizza Fusion with its Emerald Trophy Award, which recognizes businesses for their voluntary efforts in waste reduction, recycling, improved operating practices, and other "green" strategies that reduce pollution and waste.
Pizza Fusion, which serves gourmet pizzas, ciabatta sandwiches, salads, desserts, beers, wines and more "in their purest form untainted by artificial additives, such as sweeteners, pesticides, preservatives, antibiotics and hormones," was recognized under the Innovative Procedures/Process Improvement category of the award.
"This county program encourages businesses and government to be mindful of the impact their operations have on the environment and recognizes those who take steps to mitigate negative impacts," Broward County Mayor Lois Wexler said in a statement.
Pizza Fusion, whose motto is "saving the earth, one pizza at a time,' is attempting to set a new standard for sustainable restaurant practices. Some examples of their green efforts include delivering their food in company-owned hybrid vehicles, offsetting 100 percent of the power consumption of all their restaurants with the purchase of Green-e certified renewable energy certificates, mandating recycling in their restaurants, serving their food in biodegradable containers made from corn starch and utensils made from potatoes, and reusing the heat from their oven to heat the water in their restaurants.
"We are honored to be recognized by the Broward County Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department and commend the City of Fort Lauderdale for promoting environmental business throughout the community," Vaughan Lazar, CEO and co-founder of Pizza Fusion said. "Having the support and recognition of our hometown reinforces our efforts as a socially conscious organization. As we continue our national expansion, we plan to make just as much of an environmental impact on the communities we're entering around the country."
Since launching their franchise program in February of 2007, Pizza Fusion has sold more than 70 restaurants in 12 states, including California, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Illinois, Virginia, New Jersey, Georgia and Florida.