UNFI is the leading independent national distributor of natural, organic and specialty foods and related products in the United States. Our newest distribution center in York, PA has been awarded Gold certification in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System from the U.S. Green Building Council. This follows UNFI’s Ridgefield, WA facility, our first LEED® Gold certification and the first refrigerated warehouse in the country to be awarded LEED® Gold certification. Additionally, UNFI’s Providence, RI corporate headquarters have been designed to achieve LEED® Silver certification.
York, PA Awarded LEED® Gold Certification
York, PA Facts:
Square Footage – 682,105
Completion Date – December, 2008
LEED Gold Rating - 33 points
Environmental Highlight - Energy Modeling and Calibration for 100% of Building
York, PA is UNFI’s newest distribution center at over 680,000 SF. Some of the environmental highlights of our newest facility include:
- Total water use reduction of over 40% using motion-activated sensors and flow controls throughout the building
- No CFC-based refrigerants used in the building’s HVAC and refrigeration systems.
- Over 70% electronic equipment and appliances ENERGY STAR rated.
- All building energy-related systems calibrated by a professional and monitored annually by metering systems to ensure optimal functionality
- A significant increase in vegetated open space – 185% more than required by zoning ordinances
- Secure bicycle storage, with convenient changing/shower facilities provided for employees to encourage use of alternative transportation
- All carpets made from 100% recycled materials
Ridgefield, WA Awarded LEED® Gold Certification
Ridgefield, WA Facts:
Square Footage – 238,000
Completion date – December 2007
LEED Gold rating – 39 points
Environmental Highlight – 100% Renewable Energy
Ridgefield is comprised of 238,500 SF of warehouse space, of which 55,000 SF will consist of refrigerated areas, including freezers, coolers and a refrigerated loading dock. A total of 14,000 SF will serve as office space for personnel. Some of the environmental highlights of our newest facility include:
- Energy reduction of almost 30% when compared to a typical building of the same size
- Reduction of over 50% of irrigation needs by using indigenous plant species
- Building powered by 100% renewable energy; resulting in more than 4 million lbs. of CO2 not being released into the air.
- A significant increase in vegetated open space – 238% more than required by zoning ordinances
- Diversion of over 95% of construction waster from local landfills
- Low or Zero-VOC emitting materials used in the construction and interior finishes
- Preferred parking spaces designated for Low Emission and Hybrid vehicles
- All wood products selected from FSC-certified suppliers
Providence, RI Designed to Achieve LEED® Silver Certification
Providence, RI Facts:
Square Footage – 53,000
Completion Date – September, 2009
LEED Silver Rating – 28 points
Environmental Highlight – Skylight Photo-Voltaic Solar Installation
Providence’s 53,000 SF commercial office was designed within two historic industrial buildings with an internal connection. The program includes executive private offices, employee training rooms, executive board rooms, marketing and design studios, extensive IT areas, and open workstations, accommodating 180 employees with expansion room for an additional 70. Some of our corporate headquarters’ environmental highlights include:
- 78% of regularly occupied spaces provide daylighting through open interiors and large windows
- Less than 10% of construction materials ended up in local landfills
- Water use was reduced 42% below current EPA fixture requirements
- The installation of a 142 kWh photo-voltaic solar array with expected annual output of 175,000 kWh on sawtooth skylights to generate building power
- All furniture selected GreenGuard certified
- Internal doors certified by Forest Stewardship Council
UNFI has a long-standing commitment and a proactive concern for the environment including a stewardship of the land and a responsibility to reduce our ecological footprint. Our commitment to these principles is evidenced by the incorporation of sustainable building practices into these distribution centers.