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Kroger Opens First LEED Store
A remodeled Fred Meyer location in Portland, Ore., is the first store in the Kroger Co. chain to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN. The store, which opened last month and is in the midst of an eight-week grand-opening celebration, undertook a variety of initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment, according to information
September 7, 2009
2 Min Read
PORTLAND, Ore. — A remodeled Fred Meyer location here is the first store in the Kroger Co. chain to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, a spokeswoman for the chain told SN.
The store, which opened last month and is in the midst of an eight-week grand-opening celebration, undertook a variety of initiatives to reduce its impact on the environment, according to information posted on the chain's website. The energy-efficiency and conservation initiatives alone are expected to save the store about $250,000 per year, the chain reported.
Among the store's other “green” initiatives:
In terms of offering more Earth-friendly and local products, the store expanded the selection of organic produce, natural and organic meat, and organic wine and beer and more; expanded the Natural Choices department; and partnered with local patisseries and restaurants.
To promote alternative transportation, the store added extra bike parking and installed showers for employees, and added eight electric/hybrid car charging stations on the rooftop parking lot.
To conserve natural resources, the store is using low-flow toilets and sinks, with the goal to reduce water use by 40%; reducing storm water run-off with parking lot “bio-swales” and a green roof on the bottle return building; donating $50,000 to Portland Green Streets for bio-swales and other uses; and landscaping with native plants.
To improve energy efficiency, the store is using high-efficiency systems for ventilation and refrigeration, and monitoring its energy and water consumption. It is also using skylights and low-mercury, recyclable light bulbs.
It is using only nontoxic cleaning products.
In terms of recycling, it is offering only reusable and paper bags — no plastic, and is recycling 70% of its total waste. It is also composting all plant and vegetable waste.
It is using recycled tires for upstairs flooring and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint, using carts made of recycled (and recyclable) plastic; and reusing pre-existing material, such as the original concrete flooring.
Using painted signs on the walls to reduce the use of foam core.
Other initiatives that Fred Meyer undertakes throughout the chain include:
Recycling cooking oil to make biodiesel fuel.
Replacing traditional wooden pallets with reusable, 100% recycled pallets.
Replacing tile floors with polished concrete, which is easier to maintain using chemical-free products.
Installing electronically controlled fluorescent lighting in stores and warehouses that conserves energy and creates better color balance.
Recycling 45,000 tons of loose cardboard each year.
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