Planting trees in the communities 
we serve.

a man planting trees in

Trees play a fundamental role in our quality of life. They protect watersheds by reducing runoff, preventing soil erosion, and allowing more water to reach the aquifers that supply drinking water. Trees also help absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and prevent them from entering the water system. Trees are essential to natural habitats and help protect endangered and threatened animal species.

Once covered by dense forests, the landscape of the American Southeast fell victim to clear-cutting decades ago. Publix supports the Arbor Day Foundation‘s efforts to plant trees in forests where the need is greatest throughout the states we operate in. Replanting forests helps protect and restore watersheds and support the hundreds of unique plant and animal species that depend on these ecosystems.

Our reusable bags make a difference.

Since 2016, Publix has donated a portion of the proceeds from the sale of reusable bags to plant trees in damaged and degraded watersheds throughout Florida. To date, these donations have supported the planting of 1.5 million trees across more than 2,300 acres of land in Florida. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the trees they plant from our donations are estimated to help absorb and store more than 1.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next 40 years.*

Trees planted1.5 millionSince 2016, our donations have helped the Arbor Day Foundation plant over 1.5 million trees in Florida.
Acres restoredOver 2,300Reforestation efforts in Florida have restored over 2,300 acres in forests of greatest need, supporting critical wildlife habitats.
Gallons of water restored annually190 millionAs a result of these reforestation efforts, over 190 million gallons of water each year are being restored in degraded watersheds throughout Florida.

pine tree saplings
Pine tree saplings at Econfina Creek in the Florida Panhandle, an area that was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018.

Expansion into other states.

Through our Good Together Environmental campaign, register donations from our customers and associates in Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia support tree-planting efforts through the Arbor Day Foundation to rebuild forests affected by deforestation and natural disasters within these states.

The campaign started in 2024 and has raised over $1.79 million total in our states outside of Florida. From these donations, we are able to expand our impact for vulnerable forests of great need within these states over the next few years. To date, over 1.2 million trees have already been planted in these critical ecosystems.

Here’s a breakdown of trees planted by state:

  • AL: 332,314
  • GA: 417,802
  • KY: 1,654
  • NC: 87,146
  • SC: 166,042
  • TN: 208,158
  • VA: 28,736
coal mine reclamation project in Kentucky
As part of our Good Together Environmental campaign, we supported a coal mine reclamation project in Kentucky, along with other reforestation efforts in the states outside of Florida where we operate.

Your support.

We couldn‘t do this valuable work without our customers and associates. Because of your support, whether through the purchase of reusable bags or contributions to our Good Together Environmental campaign, we’ve been able to support the Arbor Day Foundation‘s efforts to restore critical forest ecosystems throughout our operating states within the American Southeast.

*Estimates reported by the Arbor Day Foundation, configured using USDA Forest Service i-Tree Tools over a 40-year outlook.