LEED certification marks milestone in sustainability commitment for CVS

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS Health has announced that the CVS/pharmacy store in West Haven, Conn., has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification, making it the most energy efficient CVS/pharmacy store in the country.



This achievement marks the first CVS/pharmacy store to be certified with the U.S. Green Building Council’s highest distinction and is the company’s eighth LEED-certified building.

 

“CVS Health is proud to celebrate this model store, which allows us to pilot environmental innovations and uncover best practices we can apply to other facilities,” said Eileen Howard Boone, SVP corporate social responsibility and philanthropy at CVS Health. “This initiative aligns with our CSR platform, Prescription for a Better World, and supports our efforts to reduce our impacts on the environment.”

 

The LEED system, developed by the USGBC, is the most internationally recognized program for green building certification. The Platinum level distinguishes those buildings that are designed, constructed and operated for improved environmental and human health performance.

 

CVS/pharmacy’s West Haven store features:

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  Recycled materials used in building design;


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  Stormwater design to reduce runoff;


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  Landscaping that doesn’t require irrigation;


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  A solar photovoltaic system to improve energy efficiency;


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  High-efficiency lighting, HVAC and plumbing systems;


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  Day lighting technology; and


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  An electric car charging station, and more.

With these features, the West Haven store uses 40% less energy and 50% less water, compared with a traditional building of similar size. CVS/pharmacy plans to incorporate some of the elements from the West Haven store into future new stores.