Sustainable Design at Tanger Outlets: A WELL-Certified Initiative
In today’s competitive retail landscape, physical shopping centers must offer more than just stores. Tanger Outlets Deer Park on Long Island, New York has set itself apart by blending world-class retail experiences with sustainability and wellness. With the center recently achieving WELL Building Institute’s Health & Safety Rating, Tanger Deer Park demonstrates how retail facilities can prioritize customer health, sustainability and operational efficiency.
This forward-thinking retail hub, home to over 100 top brands and a range of dining and entertainment options, has created a downtown-like atmosphere for the Deer Park community. Behind the scenes, a key contributor to its success is the innovative approach to restroom cleanliness and sustainability, exemplified by its installation of 28 XLERATOR® Hand Dryers with Electrostatic HEPA (eHEPA®) Filtration by industry leading hand dryer manufacturer Excel Dryer.
Prioritizing Hygiene and Customer Wellness
The WELL Building Institute’s Health & Safety Rating emphasizes building features that improve human health, and restroom hygiene is a crucial factor in achieving this standard. Tanger Deer Park's use of XLERATOR Hand Dryers has been pivotal in meeting the benchmarks. The touchless hand dryers not only provide a high-efficiency solution that reduces germ spread but also include the eHEPA Filtration System, which removes 99.999% of viruses and 99.97% of bacteria from the airstream.
“Customers are able to enjoy a facility that has been sanitized and taken care of,” said Pedro Marroquin, Excel Dryer Site Manager. “Especially after COVID, it is very important to take all of these details into consideration.”
A recent global survey titled Post-Pandemic Perceptions of Commercial Restrooms by MetrixLab further highlights the importance of public restroom cleanliness. According to the survey, cleanliness and hygiene are top priorities for consumers, with paper towel mess cited as the leading contributor to unsanitary restrooms. By eliminating paper towels, Tanger Outlets has addressed these concerns while aligning with consumer expectations.
Green Building Practices: Retail Sustainability Drives Cost Savings and Efficiency
Beyond hygiene, the XLERATOR Hand Dryers deliver substantial environmental and cost-saving benefits. Paper towels often create hidden expenses in labor, restocking, and waste disposal, not to mention the environmental cost of production. By switching to touchless hand dryers, Tanger Deer Park achieves 95% cost savings compared to paper towels and helps reduce its carbon footprint.
This focus on sustainable retail design extends throughout the property. The shopping center integrates green building practices such as solar panels, energy-efficient LED lighting and eco-conscious materials to minimize its environmental impact. These efforts make Tanger Deer Park a model for retail sustainability, demonstrating how eco-friendly practices can enhance both customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Future-Proofing with Retrofit Solutions
When Tanger Deer Park sought to achieve the WELL Building Institute’s Health & Safety Rating, retrofitting existing hand dryers with Excel Dryer’s eHEPA Retrofit Kit provided an affordable and effective solution. These upgrades allowed the shopping center to meet WELL standards without requiring new installations.
“It was a great option to do a retrofit kit instead of buying a brand-new hand dryer” said Steve Dmuchowsky, Operations Director for Excel Dryer. “I worked with my maintenance crew and with a couple YouTube videos they were able to retrofit them. It was that easy.”
Setting the Standard for Retail Innovation
Tanger’s commitment to innovation goes beyond its retail offerings. Adopting cutting-edge technology like XLERATOR Hand Dryers is just one example of how retail spaces can serve as sustainable community hubs.
As retail continues to evolve, shopping centers that prioritize customer health and retail sustainability will remain competitive. Tanger’s strategic approach ensures that it is not only meeting the needs of today’s shoppers but also setting the stage for a sustainable future.
Leading the Way in Retail Sustainability
Tanger has redefined what it means to be a leader in the retail industry. By combining customer wellness with sustainable retail design, the center has set a high bar for others to follow. The integration of XLERATOR Hand Dryers and the achievement of WELL Building Institute’s Health & Safety Rating is another step in its commitment to the environment and community.
Retailers looking to enhance their green building practices can look to Tanger as a case study in balancing profitability, customer satisfaction and environmental stewardship. Reach out to Excel Dryer to achieve this same level of restroom cleanliness and sustainability for your retail store.