PetSmart DC awarded LEED Silver

Phoenix -- PetSmart celebrated Earth Day on Friday with the announcement that its distribution center in McCarran, Nev., has been awarded Silver Certification under the LEED (Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design) for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance rating system.



In less than one year, the retailer transformed what was already an efficient building into a LEED Silver facility. The distribution center features a white reflective roof, high-efficiency heating and cooling units, occupancy sensors and a fish water recycling system. Some of the other upgrades included: purchase of chairs made of recycled content, green cleaning products, recycled content paper, Energy Star-qualified electronics and execution of a waste stream audit.



"Silver LEED Certification for PetSmart’s Nevada distribution center is a significant achievement for the entire Company in our commitment not only to sustainability, but to the local community," said Suzanne Lindsay, director of environmental sustainability for PetSmart. "For example, local water conservation efforts are a priority in the region and are now supported by our innovative fish water recycling system.”



The distribution center’s sustainable features include:

• Water-Efficient Landscaping: The water conservation plan resulted in a 78% reduction of potable water when compared with the water used in landscaping the distribution center’s grounds prior to this program.


• Heat Island Reduction-Roof: The white reflective roof has a Weighted Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) compliant area of 122%.


• Energy Efficiency Performance: Energy Star performance rating of 85


• Ongoing Consumables: 73% of total ongoing consumable purchases are sustainable.


• Solid Waste Management: 80% of all ongoing consumables are diverted from landfills and recycled.


• Sustainable Cleaning Products: Green cleaning products for indoor janitorial use are Green Star-certified by the Green Business Bureau


• Pest Management: 100% of the integrated pest-management processes use sustainable products and equipment.


• Water-Saving Fish System: The distribution center’s fish water distribution system uses 90% less water than what is used in a comparable system. How? With a focus on water conservation, the building plans included construction of an underground 10,000 gallon water repository that supports a recirculating function. This feature enhances the time taken to return water to usable standards and greatly reduces water discharge.


• Commuter Program: By carpooling, employees reduced the amount of conventional commuting trips by 17%, compared with the number of trips by these same employees prior to the implementation of this program.

PetSmart opened its first LEED Silver Certified store in 2009 in Manahawkin, N.J. The chain is also pursuing LEED certification at its Babylon, N.Y. store.