LAKELAND, Fla. — Through a collaboration with North American Properties, Publix is proud to announce its first Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified store:
Publix at Bee Ridge
8300 Bee Ridge Road
Sarasota, FL 34241
The 28,000-square-foot store opened in April 2009. North American Properties developed the store as part of its green initiatives and supported Publix’s commitment to responsibly grow and maintain a successful business without sacrificing its present viability or the planet’s future.
As one of the highest-scoring LEED certified grocery stores in the nation — 40 out of a possible 69 points — Publix demonstrated sustainable practices, including
•construction waste recycling
•LED light fixtures and skylights
•low-emitting vehicle parking
•low-flow plumbing fixtures
•low VOC (volatile organic compounds) building products such as paint and adhesives
•reclaimed water system and
•reflective roof systems.
“We learned a lot about sustainable building through this store,” said Publix Director of Media Relations Maria Brous. “We continue to look for ways to conserve resources and be responsible citizens in our communities while finding the best value for ourselves and our customers.”
The U.S. Green Building Council was formed in 1993 and adopted a program to define and measure sustainable buildings. Five years later, it launched LEED, which has become the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED certification criteria is based on many aspects, including sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 141,000 employees, with 2009 sales of $24.3 billion. Currently Publix has 1,012 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 13 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.
Source: Publix Super Markets
