Cheers to Starbucks for being a green building leader. They have successfully developed and implemented green building standards for both existing and new construction. Starbucks now has more LEED-certified buildings than any other retailer in the world. They employ 300 LEED-accredited designers around the world to help them create and implement sustainable design.
Starbucks has been a leader since 2001 in the development of green building programs in the retail industry. The company has worked hand in hand with the U.S. Green Building Council to ensure their new construction of flagship stores and large buildings meet LEED requirements.
They didn’t stop there. Eight years ago, Starbucks challenged themselves to improve on their green building certification by making all new company-operated Starbucks LEED-certified. To say this was successful is an understatement. Starbucks now has more than 750 LEED-certified stores in 19 countries. This is more than any other retailer. They even have a LEED Gold store in Porto Chino, China, the first for Starbucks in all of Asia.
Starbucks plans to continue to expand the number of LEED-certified stores around the world. As the first company to take this on, they will need to work closely with USGBC and other like-minded organizations to continue to integrate green design in all future endeavors. Their goal is to conserve energy and water, reduce waste, and of course, inspire other retailers to follow their lead.
Nine blocks from the original Starbucks location in Seattle, the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery and Tasting Room achieved LEED Platinum in 2015
