The Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market in Cathedral City, California recently received LEED Gold certification. The location, the first Fresh & Easy store to earn LEED certification, used 90% recycled steel during construction of the main building and implemented a variety of measures to reduce energy, lighting, and water use.

 

 

Although this is the first Fresh & Easy to earn certification, the chain uses LED lighting, solar tracking skylights, and a recycling program for shipping and display products. Additionally, the company is a pilot member of the LEED Volume Certification Program.

 

“Achieving LEED Gold certification for our Cathedral City store further demonstrates our commitment to the environment and sustainable consumption,” said Mason. “Designing our buildings to use less energy is win-win: we are able to use less money which we can pass onto customers and we have less of an impact on the earth.” Source: Fresh & Easy (PDF)

 

Fresh & Easy has been undergoing rapid growth in certain markets, despite the economy. The company operates nearly 200 stores in California, Arizona, and Nevada.

 

 

The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community is now the proud owner of a LEED certified building. The Tribe’s Chaparral Business Center V, a 70,735 square-foot facility, is home to a variety of tenants including Keller Williams Realty, Fender Guitar, OneNeck, and Acclivity Health Care.

 

"This achievement recognizes our commitment to the environment and to the future," said Diane Enos, President of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. "Everyone involved in the design and construction of this office building deserves our thanks for bringing this level of green construction home to our tribal land." Source: PR Newswire