Walgreen’s Green Technologies: Innovating Sustainable Retail

Thank you Walgreens!  For on November 21, 2013, Walgreens celebrated a significant milestone in sustainable retail. That’s by opening what is believed to be the nation’s first net zero energy retail store in Evanston, Illinois. This groundbreaking initiative showcases Walgreens’ commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative green technologies.

Key Features of the Net Zero Energy Store:

21 November 2013

Walgreens Opens Nation’s First Net Zero Energy Retail Store

1. Renewable Energy Sources:
   1. Nearly 850 roof-top solar panels
   2. Two 35-foot-tall wind turbines
   3. Geothermal system drilled 550 feet into the ground
2. Energy Efficiency Measures:
   1. LED lighting and daylight harvesting
   2. Carbon dioxide refrigerant for heating, cooling, and also refrigeration
   3. Energy-efficient building materials
3. Impressive Energy Production:
   1. Expected to generate 220,000 kilowatt hours per year
   2. Anticipated to produce more energy than it consumes
4. Environmental Impact:
   1. Solar panels can power 30 Illinois homes for a year
   2. Wind turbines offset annual greenhouse gas emissions from 2.2 passenger vehicles

The store’s design aims to reduce energy usage by more than 50% compared to an average store. This ambitious project is also part of Walgreens’ broader sustainability efforts. That which also includes:

1. Operating 150 stores with solar power
2. Using geothermal energy in an Oak Park, Illinois store
3. Implementing wind energy at a distribution center in Waxahachie, Texas
4. Installing electric vehicle charging stations at 400 locations

Mark Wagner, Walgreens’ president of operations and community management, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability:

Their purpose as a company is to help people get, stay and live well. For that includes making our planet more livable. Essentially by conserving resources and reducing pollution.

The Evanston store is seeking multiple certifications, including:

1. LEED Platinum certification
2. Net Zero Certification through the Living Building Challenge
3. GreenChill platinum certification from the U.S. EPA

This project serves as a model for future retail operations and demonstrates Walgreens’ leadership in adopting green technologies. As Thomas Connolly, Walgreens’ vice president of facilities development, noted, “Because we operate more than 8,000 stores, anything we do that reduces our carbon footprint can have a broad, positive impact on the nation’s environment.”

Conclusion

The net zero energy store also introduces Walgreens’ “Well Experience” format, featuring an enhanced pharmacy design that encourages greater interaction between pharmacists and patients.

To follow the store’s progress towards achieving net zero status and learn more about Walgreens’ green initiatives, visit their Net Zero Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Walgreens-Net-Zero-Community/.

This innovative project by Walgreens sets a new standard for sustainable retail and showcases how businesses can lead the way in creating a more environmentally friendly future.

Source: PURE Walgreens, Walgreens corporate sustainability program, “People Using Resources Efficiently”