REI Stores Become LEED Certified

Going green isn’t just talk for REI. A Texas and Illinois REI were awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification for commercial interiors. That’s one step below the best “green” status a building can receive from the U.S. Green Building Council.

REI Round Rock, in Round Rock, Texas, received the certification for facets including its efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The company also reduced construction waste by 80 percent.

REI Lincoln Park, in Chicago, received the notoriety for various elements, including its proximity to alternative transportation, use of natural daylight and installing efficient water fixtures.

“Receiving LEED certification validates that we are making the right decisions for the environment and our business when designing our stores,” Dean Iwata, REI’s store development director, said in a statement.

Besides the two most recent LEED certified buildings, REI’s Boulder, Colo., Pittsburgh and Portland stores have received varied LEED certifications, and its Bedford, Penn., distribution center has as well. www.rei.com

—Ryan Dionne