Giant Eagle’s GetGo c-store awarded LEED Silver

Pittsburgh Giant Eagle has announced that its GetGo convenience store and gas station in Wexford, Pa., received LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Silver certification from the United States Green Building Council. The 1,942-sq.-ft. location opened in February 2009.

This is the company's first LEED-certified fuel and convenience store location, and one of the first nationally. In December 2004, Giant Eagle opened the nation’s first LEED-certified supermarket, in Brunswick, Ohio, near Cleveland. Since then, Giant Eagle has also been awarded LEED certification for its Shadyside Market District and New Albany (Columbus) Giant Eagle. 

"Adding a LEED-certified convenience store and fuel station to our wealth of sustainable business practices underscores Giant Eagle's commitment to environmental responsibility," said Giant Eagle senior VP real estate Shelly Sponholz. "It is a continuation of our work thus far, and a step toward future initiatives."

The GetGo’s sustainable features include:

• Fresh air. Air-quality sensors constantly monitor for carbon dioxide to ensure fresh, clean air throughout the store. Air quality is improved by the use of adhesives, sealants, paints, carpeting and wood products that are low in volatile organic compounds.

• Water conservation. Parking lot landscaping has been planted with drought-tolerant vegetation that requires no irrigation.

• Greater energy savings. The store is designed to consume 21% less energy than comparable, conventionally designed supermarkets, with all of the store's electricity produced by green energy sources.

• Uses less heating and cooling. Increased insulation and day lighting help the store save energy year round.

• Cleaner atmosphere. The store uses no-ozone-depleting refrigerants in its refrigeration and cooling systems.

• Recycling and recycled materials. A majority of construction waste, such as steel and drywall, was sent to various companies for reuse. Nearly all wood used in the site is harvested from sustainable services. All cabinetry is free of urea formaldehyde and all gypsum wallboard is made from 10% recycled materials. Nearly all food by products, such as cooking oil and trimmings, are transformed into other areas including bio-diesel fuel, animal feed and lubricants.