WHOLLY SUSTAINABLE

The Greenest Store in the World – A Powerful Showcase Facility
Paul Baier, April 6, 2011 (Practical Sustainability)

"The Whole Foods store in Dedham, MA may just be the greenest grocery store in the world…[The] showcase facility demonstrates leading energy and sustainability practices to Whole Food customers, employees and investors, as well as the local community…[and can be] a powerful learning tool…

"The store is notable because of the actual implementation of so many leading sustainable and energy practices in construction, facility operations, store operations and culture…All structural steel is made from 100 percent recycled materials and the building uses a white roof…Renewable constructions materials include Marmoleum surfaces and Trikeenan wall tiles…"

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"…90 percent of the store's energy needs are met by a 400kWh fuel cell and 80 kWh solar panels…The refrigeration system's rejected heat is reclaimed and used to heat water…Kitchen exhaust systems are on-demand and do not run continuously…Skylights and automated lighting reduction control are used extensively…"

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"…80 percent of store waste is reused…Grocery bags and cash register tape are made from 100 percent recycled paper…The store has innovative programs such as wine cork recycling and the promotion of multiple containers for meals and lunches. Customers can come in and try sustainable cleaning products before they buy them in an in-store cleaning and sink area…

"Sustainability is evident in the building, operations, products, company culture, employees and customer interaction…[The] newly constructed facility…gave Whole Foods the opportunity to incorporate sustainability into the design from the ground floor. But, the company's investment in sustainable facility and operations went much farther than many new builds…"