Publix donates $125K to Arbor Day Foundation

Publix is continuing its support of the Arbor Day Foundation.

The retailer has donated $125,000 to the organization so 125,000 trees can be planted in two damaged Florida watersheds — Withlacoochee River Watershed and Little Orange Creek Preserve.

Over a span of five years, Publix has donated a total of $600,000 to the organization who has planted 605,000 trees with this donation, which has been funded entirely by proceeds from the sale of Publix-branded reusable bags, the company said.

“Healthy watersheds are an essential part of our freshwater systems. When our customers purchase Publix-branded reusable bags, we’re able to do good, together, to restore these important natural environments,” Publix director of environmental and sustainability programs Michael Hewett said. “We are proud to continue supporting work to improve water quality by planting trees to help slow rainfall runoff, absorb excess carbon dioxide, and promote healthy wildlife habitats.”

According to the Arbor Day Foundation, the trees planted in the last five years are estimated to intercept more than 66 billion gallons of rainfall and absorb more than 182,000 metric tons of net carbon dioxide over the next 50 years, the company said.