Dunkin’ Donuts has opened its first “green” store, located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The restaurant is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and includes “green” initiatives such as innovative recycling programs, worm casting and food donations to the local food bank. LEED certification is widely recognized as the standard for “green” construction in the United States.
The St. Petersburg LEED-certified store is a first for Dunkin’ Donuts and will serve as a prototype for future green construction projects as well as enhance future building models. The restaurant features numerous LEED enhancements, including: energy-efficient insulated concrete foam walls to reduce air conditioning usage by approximately 40%, energy-efficient lighting, including motion sensors for restrooms and offices, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, low-flush toilets, and the usage of well water rather than potable water for all irrigation.
In addition to these significant LEED enhancements, customers will notice other “green” features at the St. Petersburg location including:
â‹… Recycling – An on-site Earthworm Casting facility, a collaboration between Dunkin’ Donuts and local company Mother’s Organics (www.mothersorganics.com). The solar powered tank houses 80 lbs. of small red earthworms that will eat the waste produced by the store, such as coffee grounds and paper products. The worms’ waste will then be converted into fertilizer for local farms and gardens.
â‹… Reusable Mug Program – Customers are encouraged to bring their own mug, and will receive a discount toward the purchase of a beverage.
â‹… Paper Hot Cups – Hot drinks are served in paper cups made from renewable resources.
â‹… Food Donation – Leftover baked goods are donated to America’s Second Harvest, a local food bank.
â‹… Green Cleaning – Cleaning products meet LEED requirements and California Air Resources Board (CARB) standards, better for the environment and customers.
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