Hannaford strives for LEED platinum certification

Augusta, Maine Hannaford Bros. said it hopes its 49,000-sq.-ft. store in Augusta, Maine, will be the first supermarket in the country to earn LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification.

The store, slated to open on Saturday, will serve as a learning laboratory for environmental gains, the company said.

Hannaford built the store on the site of a former school. About 96% of the demolition debris and 99% of the contents of the former building were either recycled or reused.

This store is anticipated to save more than 2 million kilowatt hours of electricity, requiring approximately 50% less energy than a typical supermarket of comparable size.