Image: www.loblaw.ca
This is a company with a deep commitment to sustainability where caring about the environment is as important as the products they sell.
Leading the way
With the opening of its flagship LEED Superstore on Brimley Road in Scarborough, Ontario, Loblaw continues to lead the way in environmentally responsible green retailing.
LEED is the certified point system adopted by Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) that is becoming the standard for creating green buildings. Obtaining certification above the basic level is a challenge for any large store but Loblaw successfully achieved the silver certification though smart design and ground breaking technology.
“We are excited about the innovative approaches that we have successfully implemented in this store” said Mark Schembri, V.P. Loblaw Companies Limited. “Undertaking the LEED accreditation process for the store has resulted in many new, environmentally-friendly design approaches that we will also incorporate in future stores.”
Starting off on the right foot
Loblaw started off by moving the site away from an environmentally sensitive wetland to a location accessible by public transportation and a walking route. During the construction phase, soil erosion was controlled by washing down all trucks leaving the site. By using only FSC approved wood, recycled construction material and buying from local suppliers, the Brimley Store earned additional LEED points. A well organized recycling program successfully diverted 90 percent of the construction debris from local landfills, which also garnered more points for the 120,000 sq. ft building.
Cooling the carbon
Grocery stores leave a large carbon footprint with their refrigeration systems and this is where Loblaw has excelled in creating new green standards. In conventional grocery stores, refrigerant gas takes away heat from the frozen food freezers and chilled display cases. But since the gas is sent through copper piping, leaks are frequent and difficult to detect. The escaped gases end up as greenhouse gas emissions.
Loblaw developed a greener system that removes heat from the compressor room before it reaches the display cases and replaces the gas with a cooled fluid shipped in plastic tubing. Known as a low temperature secondary CO2 system, the new design reduces the refrigerant usage and leaks by 85 percent. A typical store uses 3,600 lbs of refrigerant; the Brimley Superstore will use 500 lbs. That translates into a reduction of 5,111 tons of CO2 from being released into our air.
A new approach to recycling
Loblaw went a step further with its cooling system and used heat taken out of refrigeration units to heat hot water as well as the retail area of the store. This reduces energy consumption even more. The Brimley store is the third store in Canada to use this revolutionary heating/cooling collaboration system that is becoming a signature system for Loblaw. Natural Resources Canada provided funding for this part of the project.
Low flow
Customers are sure to notice the lo-flo toilets and the drought-resistant garden installed. Both were designed to conserve water. Other obvious eco-friendly enhancements include plenty of bike racks and motion-activated LED lighting that turn on only when you enter an aisle. There’s even an information kiosk to educate curious shoppers about green.
Hidden features
Other green features are less obvious but create an overall healthier building. Any possibility of mould growing was eliminated by carefully protecting all construction materials from moisture. Indoor air quality was improved by using low VOC carpets, paints, adhesives and composite wood products. Even the floor wax was changed to a non-toxic, non-zinc formula. A carbon dioxide monitoring system ensures air quality will be maintained.
Operations go green
The staff at the new Scarborough Superstore will participate in the in-store recycling program, trying to hit the national target of 70 percent waste diverted from landfills. (The current Loblaw national average is 45 percent.) All corrugated cardboard and shrink wrap from pallets will be sent to a recycling program while organic waste is sent to make bio-fuel and bakery waste is turned into animal feed.
Classics still offered
Customers at the Brimley Store will also have access to the popular President's Choice Green line (the GREEN Reusable Bag is available along with the Green, Organics and Blue Menu lines). The store also carries the extended selection of ethnic food offerings and the latest looks from Joe Fresh Style.
It all adds up to one sustainable experience and the Brimley Superstore is sure to become the prototype for shopping green and healthy.
Shelagh McNally is the editor of Green Living online.
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