Verizon Pushes Green Building Program

Verizon Wireless (Basking Ridge, N.J.) announced that 85 of its Verizon Wireless Communications Stores across the country have been awarded the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star certification. Additionally, 41 company stores have received LEED certification from the United States Green Building Council, making it one of the leaders in green retailing.

Verizon Wireless says it has added 26 locations to its list of Energy Star-certified stores since last Earth Day. These stores are 10 percent more energy efficient on average than non-certified stores and feature energy efficient lighting, light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs and motion sensors to activate lighting in portions of the store that are not in constant use, such as the storage rooms and back offices.

Of the 41 stores with LEED certification, 15 have Gold status, 25 have Silver status and one has Certified status, according to the USGBC’s LEED – Commercial Interiors rating system. These store designs optimize water and energy use, enhance indoor environmental quality and reduce waste through specifications and responsible procurement and construction practices.