To date, almost 50 stores have been certified or are now in the Green Globes process. In 2013 Whole Foods expanded it sustainability efforts by taking it first existing building through Green Globes, a store in the Hollywood district of Portland, Ore. Certifying an existing building provided the added benefit of improving operation efficiency.

“It was an extremely transparent and painless process.” 

Construction Project Manager for Whole Foods’ Pacific Northwest region Bob Gordon says certification was straightforward. “I submitted responses to an online questionnaire and an assessor walked through the building with me. It was an extremely transparent and painless process.” 

In particular, Gordon was pleasantly surprised at how helpful the Green Globes Assessor was. “He asked insightful questions and actually participated by helping me identify and locate the documentation needed to achieve our rating,” recalls Gordon. “He remained available throughout the process, and his input was extremely valuable,” 

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES 

• Water savings - Grocery stores can reduce the amount of water used to keep fruits and vegetables fresh. Water performance criteria in Green Globes help to identify the sources and quantity of potential water waste. 
• Energy performance is measured in several areas including freezer and refrigerator cabinets that can use tremendous amounts of energy. A building envelope survey that includes condensation, moist air transfer, air flow, and heat transfer establish a baseline condition as a foundation for periodic performance surveys to help keep savings on track. 
• Indoor Environment - Indoor air quality is a major concern for grocery stores. Daylight infiltration, and green cleaning and pest management practices provide a healthy space. Indoor Air Quality audits ensure goals are met.

Assessor Involvement
With the Green Globes Assessor’s hands-on involvement and availability throughout the process, Whole Foods discovered that many of its existing efforts already aligned with Green Globes certification criteria.

For example, the current system for reusing and purifying water dramatically reduces the quantity needed. In the future, Whole Foods may implement a company-wide water management plan, which would attain additional certification points. The company has multiple technologies in place that reduce energy usage such as high-efficiency, dedicated chiller systems, and it recently retrofitted its cases with LED lighting. Dedicated exhaust hoods in cooking areas and the use of environmentally friendly cleaning products and pesticides provide cleaner air. The store’s design also excelled at providing daylight.

During the walk-through, the Green Globes Assessor honed in on items overlooked during daily operation and offered simple action items and basic preventative maintenance measures to improve indoor air quality. “The comprehensive evaluation looked at both how the building was built and how it is operated. It will help us piece together a preventative maintenance program for the whole region,” says Gordon. “In the long-term, the Green Globes suggestions save money and enhance the facility.”

Gordon sees particular advantages in having a Green Globes assessment during the design phase of a remodel on an older building. He notes that the assessor’s expertise and feedback would greatly assist the architect and engineer as they examine the goals and budget and identify green measures to solidify the scope of work.