CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Harris Teeter, Matthews, N.C., is opening a new location here on May 9 that is both a registered Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) store and a certified Environmental Protection Agency GreenChill Gold-Level store.

The store was built with energy and environmental design components in mind that allowed it to qualify for LEED certification. For example, more than 30% of all building materials were manufactured regionally (within 500 miles of the store), 82% of all construction waste was recycled, and 50% of all wood came from certified sustainable forests. Skylights in the ceiling help light the store, freezer cases were designed with LED lighting, and water saving devices were installed in all of the water fixtures.

The store is 25% more energy efficient than the industry average and uses 85% less refrigerant load.

The store also received the EPA’s GreenChill’s Gold-Level store certification for using environmentally friendlier commercial refrigeration systems. Harris Teeter is just the third store in the nation to achieve this recognition.

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