REI Getting Greener

Posted on December 10, 2007
Tag(s): Gift Ideas, The Great Green Outdoors, Green Building | | Email this

In October I wrote a post about REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) opening a retail store built to green standards. The company sells high-quality outdoor gear and apparel. Well, the environmentally-conscious company is at it again…they’ve opened a 525,000 square foot distribution center in Bedford, Pennsylvania that again employs green standards.

They started off on the right foot by doing something shocking: not demolishing an old house on the site, but by donating it to Habitat for Humanity. A natural wetland area was created to manage storm water runoff, as well as benefit local wildlife. They smartly orientated the building to benefit from the effects of sun and wind for maximum energy efficiency. Several measures were taken inside and outside of the facility to conserve water. And, preferred parking for carpoolers, fuel-efficient vehicles, and bicycles have been incorporated. Even efforts to make daily operations more green, through major recycling, have been made.

The distribution center will improve service for REI’s stores and customers based in the Eastern portion of the United States. It is expected to be LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council in the coming months.

Visit ExpansionManagement.com here for more details.