Sustainability

NEW YORK — After Apple began giving consumers the option to receive paperless receipts, it seems that other retailers are following suit, according to published reports.

WASHINGTON -- Consumers can expect to find less packaging with their food and beverages in the coming years as manufacturers look to eliminate waste. The Grocery Manufacturers Association found that by 2020 2.5 billion pounds of waste is expected to be avoided by 2020.  This is on top of the 1.5 billion pounds of packaging avoided since 2005.

Indianapolis -- Simon Property Group announced that, in partnership with Shinsegae, it has opened Paju Premium Outlets, its second Premium Outlet Center in South Korea.

The 328,000-sq.-ft. center houses 160 stores, including international and domestic brands. Strategically located in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, the center is approximately 50 minutes northwest of downtown Seoul.

New York City -- Schneider Electric and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are collaborating to enhance the current demand response credit for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification.

Jacksonville, Fla. -- Regency Centers announced that it has opened three new grocery-anchored shopping centers totaling 263,000 sq. ft. over a 30-day period.

The centers -- Market at Colonnade in Raleigh, N.C., Harris Crossing in Wake Forest, N.C. and NorthGate Village in Greeley, Colo. – represent a combined investment of $41 million.

Market at Colonnade is a 57,503-sq.-ft. neighborhood center anchored by Whole Foods Market and includes 17,503 sq .ft. of additional retail space. Whole Foods Market opened March 16.

Niagara, Ontario -- Niagara’s largest shopping center has launched a $13 million renovation featuring an environmentally- and shopper-friendly redesign inspired by Niagara’s vineyards, parks, gardens and trails.

“The design focus of the renovation will meet the Canada Green Building Council LEED-CI designation,” said Pen Centre manager John Bragagnolo. “Our aim is to ensure that the shopping center provides the best shopping experience with the least environmental impact possible.”

Chicago -- Jones Lang LaSalle today Thursday that the firm is donating $1.25 million to the Japanese Red Cross to provide aid and relief following the Japan earthquake and Pacific Tsunami that have left a path of destruction in their wake.

Stratham, N.H. -- The Timberland Co. has opened its new Boston retail location, at 201 Newbury Street. Construction on the store — housed in the old Prince School building — began earlier this year.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced the deployment of five rooftop solar arrays for Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in Puerto Rico. The solar program is made possible through a solar energy service agreement where Sun Edison, a subsidiary of MEMC Electronic Materials, will design, deploy, operate and maintain over three megawatts of solar technologies across the five locations with no upfront costs to Walmart.

By Jeff Green