Giant Eagle Opens 'Green' Unit

BRUNSWICK, OH-Giving new meaning to the term “green grocer,” the 80,000-sf Giant Eagle supermarket at Brunswick Town Center becomes the first supermarket in the country to obtain Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certification. LEED is a national green building rating system administered by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

While it is the first, it is not the last, according to Jim Lampl, who holds the title of director of conservation at Cleveland, OH-based Giant Eagle Inc. “We are already implementing many of these features into our new supermarkets,” he says. Furthermore, in February, the Environmental Protection Agency designated the company a 2004 Energy Star Retail Partner of the Year for its adoption of smart and efficient energy practices.

Environmentally friendly features were incorporated in this building from the ground up. The store consumes 30% less energy than comparable supermarket units, and more than half of its electrical energy is supplied through wind generation. Fifty skylights are equipped with integral sensors that automatically adjust the amount of electric light, based on the amount that comes from the skylights. Furthermore, a white, reflective roof combines with increased insulation to allow the building to heat and cool quickly.