Food Lion opens third LEED store

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has opened its third store certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, in Hope Mills, N.C.

“By building our third LEED grocery store, we will reduce energy costs by more than 20% compared to a typical supermarket, as well as conserve 40% more water than other Food Lion stores,” said Kyle Mitchell, VP store development for Delhaize America South. “Food Lion has one of the most advanced retail energy conservation programs in the country.”

Mitchell noted that, for the past 10 years, Food Lion has been dedicated to such sustainability initiatives as energy conservation and reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout its 11-state footprint, reducing its energy consumption by more than 27% since 2000, or 2.5 trillion BTUs.

The new Hope Mills store touts a number of eco-friendly features, including LED lighting in the frozen food cases, low-flow and sensor-activated water fixtures in restrooms, and native plant species that eliminate irrigation requirements.

Other green features include:

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  Enhanced air quality for associates and customers by using low-toxicity materials and implementing proactive management plans throughout construction to ensure optimal indoor air quality;

  
  


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  Environmental education via a kiosk in the store;

  
  


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  Construction waste diverted from landfills through recycling; and

  
  


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  Customer and associate recycling programs at the store that feature environmentally friendly construction and energy-efficient services, including an on-site recycling center, an educational kiosk and preferred parking for carpool vehicles.