Walgreens Sidebar: Taking the LEED in Green Building
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As one of the 80 companies participating in the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) pilot program, Walgreen Co. (WAG) is lending its experience and voice to help the non-profit organization establish its LEED® for Retail Commercial Interiors and the LEED for Retail New Construction rating systems.
LEED Certification www.usgbc.org/ is granted by the USGBC to construction projects that meet standards in five key areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. The LEED rating system has four levels of certification: LEED Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
The USGBC says they selected Walgreens to provide market feedback and help determine exactly what criteria makes a retail store “green.” This year, the retailer says it opened two LEED-certified stores — the first in Mira Mesa, Calif., and the other in Chicago — that were constructed with features such as skylights, LED lighting, wood from sustainable forests, and measures to promote energy and water-usage efficiencies.
“Walgreens has demonstrated leadership and creativity in the approach they have taken to incorporate sustainable practices into their buildings,” said Doug Gatlin, Vice President of Market Development, U.S. Green Building Council. “We are eager to see the company continue to build state-of-the-art retail environments.”
“We are proud to showcase our commitment to the environment,” says Walgreens Southern California market vice president Matt Sesto. “We’re cutting our electricity and water usage, recycling tons of cardboard and shrink wrap each year and upgrading equipment for maximum efficiency.”
Other retailers participating in the pilot program include Best Buy Co. Inc. (BBY), McDonald’s Corp. (MCD), Nike Inc. (NKE) and Office Depot Inc. (ODP), all of which have construction projects under way at various stages, the Council says:
- Best Buy, according to the company, has committed to building only green stores going forward and cut the ribbon on its first LEED-certified store in Martinsburg, W.Va. this summer. The store features bike racks, special parking for fuel-efficient vehicles, and recycling programs among other environment-friendly efforts.
- McDonald’s opened its first LEED-certified store in Cary, N.C. this year. The company says it’s included Energy Star–rated kitchen equipment; low-volatile organic compound (VOC) interior materials; petroleum-free, recyclable furniture; and water-sustaining equipment in its construction.
- NIKE’s LEED-certified headquarters uses recycled and low-VOC materials to improve air quality, among other measures incorporated into its campus facilities, according to the company.
- Office Depot was awarded LEED Gold Certification this year in recognition of its store prototype as well as its retail store in Austin, Texas, the company says. Both facilities feature solar panels, low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient lighting.
