“Green” Store

The energy and resource-efficient store is set to be completed by summer 2008. It will be one of the first to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Volume Certification Program.  

According to the article, the store will integrate numerous green building design elements.

• Energy Reduction: T5 Energy-Efficient Lighting, high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air condition units and insulation, enhanced energy management system, effective temperature controls, skylights and a reflective roof. Outside of the store, there will be a bicycle rack and map and designated parking for hybrid vehicles.

• Waste Reduction: Steel decking and joists made of 60 to 100% recycled steel and a 60% recycled concrete floor; Interior partitions composed of more than 95% recycled materials.

• Water Conservation: Water-efficient taps and flushes in the restroom.

• Green Products: Office Supplies, Technology and Furniture from Office Depot's 4,000-plus assortment of products with green benefits such as recycled content, remanufactured components, energy efficiency and non-toxic chemical use.

• Green Services: Environmental solutions for Office Depot customers including Office Depot's Ink and Toner Cartridge Recycling Program, Tech Recycling Service and Cell Phone and Rechargeable Battery Recycling.

Environmental strategy advisor for Office Depot Yalmaz Siddiquit said “Office Depot has an environmental vision to increasingly buy green, be green and sell green. By becoming the first office supply retailer to “build green” using the LEED volume certification program, we are once again setting a precedent for others in our industry to follow.”