LEED Gold-Certified Building

Whole Foods Market has a Green Mission, because we care about the future of this blue dot we call home. That’s why we are committed to building green. Green building techniques conserve natural resources by reducing the use of virgin raw materials and minimizing the amount of toxic resins and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassed by traditional building materials such as laminates, paint and carpeting.

Our store here on the Upper West Side received LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council , the first environmentally-friendly supermarket in New York City designed in accordance with the LEED Green Building Rating System®. When you visit our store here are a few things to look for that lead us to our LEED Gold Certification:

Concrete

All of the concrete used in our store is lightweight concrete, and made with 10% Fly Ash a waste product of the coal combustion industry.

Local

We sourced almost all of our concrete, wood, paint and stains, and steel and glass from local manufactures. Some of these, such as glass and concrete, are made from locally extracted materials.

Acrovyn® Wall Panels

This plastic protective wall panel is made from more than 50% recycled content with PVC-free plastic.

Location

Our store is located in a mixed-use building near public transit and Manhattan’s largest parcel of green space, which helps promote community and reduced carbon footprints.

Water Use Reduction Urinals

Through the use of an EcoVantage High Efficiency Urinal System, we are able to reduce water usage by up to 85% compared to conventional urinals.

Water Use Reduction Toilets

Through the use of dual flush water closets (flush up for a 1.1 gpf and down for a 1.6 gpf), we are able to conserve significant amounts of water.

Whole Body Makeup Shelving

This shelving is made from 100% FSC-certified wood with no added formaldehyde and low to no VOC paints, adhesives or sealants.

Indoor Environmental Quality

We conducted a thorough flush out of our building after construction. We ensure adequate ventilation and air filtration, as well as monitor carbon dioxide.

Water Use Reduction Hand Sinks

Through the use of metered and aerated faucets, we are able to conserve significant amounts of water.

Low To No Voc Paints, Adhesives and Sealants

Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer and can cause adverse health effects in humans.

Recycled Tiles

These glistening tiles are made from up to 85% recycled material in a manufacturing process that recovers 99% of all scrap clay and 80% of all glaze over-spray for recycling.

Food Bars

This food bar is made from more than 50% recycled content, including steel, aluminum and plastic laminate.

Food Donations

We send as much excess food as possible to local food banks ­­- the rest we haul to composting facilities to be used for natural fertilizers.

Living Décor

We furnish our store with live plants to add a natural element, while they improve the air quality in our building.

Gypsum Board

Manufactured locally from material extracted in the Northeast, the gypsum board we use contains a high recycled content.

Icestone

Icestone® is a Cradle to Cradle Certified composite material made locally from 100% recycled glass and concrete.

Energy Conservation

We employ high-tech, computer-controlled energy management systems for lighting and refrigeration to ensure we are operating as efficiently as possible.

Kerei

This product is made from reclaimed sorghum straw with no added formaldehyde.

Plyboo – Durapalm

This product is made from coconut and sugar palms that are past their fruit bearing years.

Green Roof

The store’s living roof, planted with trees and shrubs, helps reduce the urban “heat island effect,” decreasing atmospheric temperatures in the area (normally elevated by dark-colored roofs) while helping control indoor climate. The green roof further acts as a sponge to filter storm water run-off.

Recycling

We recycle cardboard and paper, hard and stretch plastics, and glass and metal. We also work with a local company to convert our waste oil to fuel.

Recycled Steel

About 88% of all steel products and nearly 100% of steel used in beams and plates for construction are made with a high level of recycled content.

Sustainable Packaging Choices

Our to-go containers and meat and seafood trays are made from natural bulrush plant fibers that are quickly renewable and compostable.

Lighting

Through the use of high efficiency linear and compact fluorescent, as well as ceramic metal halide low-wattage lights, we are reducing our lighting energy consumption by 25% below industry standards.

Cherry

Close to all the cherry and nearly 90% of the rest of the wood used in the store is Forest Stewardship Council Certified.

Construction Waste Recycling

We sent more than 75% of our construction waste to recycling facilities rather than polluting landfills or using incinerators.

Cork

We use renewable cork boards throughout our store. Cork trees are “sheared” like sheep when cork is harvested – the trees aren’t cut down.

Dakota Burl®

This BIOFIBER^TM wall panel is made of 90% recycled/reclaimed content. Dakota Burl® is a coposite board made from waste sunflower hulls.

Durock® Cement Board

This long-lasting product is moisture- and mold- resistant, ensuring indoor environmental quality and contains more than 20% recycled content.

Equipment and Appliances

We employ many energy optimization techniques, such as choosing ENERGY STAR® appliances and the most high efficiency equipment, while taking measures to reduce our consumption during peak and off-peak times.

Reuse

The store will credit you cash or make a donation for reusing and recycling certain items throughout the store, such as bags and green bowls.

Bakery Case

This case was manufactured locally with recycled steel and glass, as well as low VOC adhesives, sealants and stains.

Renewable Energy

We purchase enough clean and sustainable renewable energy credits (RECs) from American wind farms to offset 100% of the electricity used in our store.

Marmoleum®

Marmoleum® is a natural linoleum product made from linseed oil, wood flour, pine rosin, jute and limestone. It is completely biodegradable.