Built environment refers to human-made physical spaces where we live, work and play. For us, it means going above and beyond to design and operate our stores in ways that maximize our energy efficiency. And it's one of the many reasons why we're doing our part to promote alternative energy and help our customers reduce their environmental impact.
We’re constantly exploring new and innovative technology to make our stores more energy efficient. Learn about our achievements and ongoing efforts to ensure we're nourishing our planet for the future.
Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
We installed our first electric vehicle charging station at our flagship store in Austin, Texas, more than a decade ago. Since then, we’ve been a leader among U.S. retailers in offering more and faster electric vehicle charging stations in our parking lots.
Harnessing Solar Energy
As of 2022, we have nearly 70 stores supplementing traditional energy supply with power from rooftop solar installations, and more are in development.
Achieving Green Building Certifications
We are proud to have dozens of stores that have been Green Globes– or LEED-certified across North America. These are both globally recognized symbols of energy efficiency achievement and leadership.
LEED-Certified Stores
Used worldwide, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design opens in a new tab (LEED) is a green building certification program that includes a rating system for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of buildings of all shapes and sizes. This program aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible use resources more efficiently.
Green Globe–Certified Stores
As a nationally recognized green rating assessment, guidance and certification program, Green Globes opens in a new tab provides tools to work toward sustainability goals.
Using Green Refrigeration
Whole Foods Market is proud to be a leader among U.S. supermarkets in our efforts to reduce emissions of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). HFCs are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling and refrigeration, many of which are powerful greenhouse gases.
GreenChill Partnership
Whole Foods Market is a founding partner and active participant of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill program opens in a new tab, which helps food retailers transition to alternative refrigerants, reduce refrigerant charge sizes, eliminate leaks and adopt improved refrigeration technologies. Whole Foods Market is also a founding member of the North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council opens in a new tab and continues to actively participate.
Making Our Refrigeration Even Greener
As part of the EPA GreenChill program, we’re proud to be a leader among U.S. supermarkets in our efforts to transition away from hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) through our sustainable refrigeration work. Hydrofluorocarbons are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling and refrigeration, many of which are powerful greenhouse gases. By the end of 2023, 46 Whole Foods Market stores were using refrigeration systems that avoid hydrofluorocarbons, relying instead on low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants. GWP is a gas’s ability to trap extra heat in our atmosphere over time. An additional 181 Whole Foods Market stores rely on lower GWP refrigerants. Low GWP refrigerants refer to “natural” refrigerants such as ammonia, carbon dioxide or propane, which are widely considered the most sustainable alternatives to HFC refrigerants. Lower GWP refrigerants refers to refrigerants whose GWP isn’t quite as low as natural refrigerants but are still considered more sustainable and contribute less to climate change than legacy HFC refrigerants.
Designing Grocery Stores of the Future
We’ve designed several stores that have been used as case studies for sustainability and energy-efficiency practices. A flagship Whole Foods Market store in Brooklyn, New York, has a central refrigeration system that is 100% HFC free. This store has achieved LEED platinum, GreenChill Platinum and four Green Globes.
