Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint) has announced the opening of its first environmentally friendly retail store in Houston located at 1493 Parks at Boulder Creek. The new store incorporates sustainable design elements such as energy-efficient lighting fixtures and low volatile organic compound (VOC) paint and carpet to help reduce the store’s carbon footprint.
The Houston store implements many design elements consistent with LEED design standards, and will include energy-efficient lighting, low water usage plumbing fixtures and low VOC paint and carpet.
These energy efficiency standards are expected to: Reduce the carbon footprint of the retail location by about 19,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents; Save about 12,000 gallons of water per year, reducing water consumption by 54%; Reduce lighting energy consumption by 25%; Conserve energy and improve efficiency through the use of Energy Star-rated equipment and appliances; Improve indoor air quality through low VOC paint, carpet and building materials.
“Moving forward, every newly opened Sprint retail store will use less water and electricity, recycle more waste and ultimately will be more energy efficient – a win-win for both the environment and Sprint customers,” said Ralph Reid, vice president of corporate social responsibility for Sprint. “Greening Sprints retail store’s is another major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our socially responsible business practices.”
The opening of the Houston store is the first of many retail locations that will feature sustainable design elements in support of Sprint’s new green-print for new retail store builds and refurbishments. Future energy-efficient retail locations planned for 2010 include stores in Kansas City, Albuquerque, Seattle and another retail location in Houston.
Currently all 1,100 Sprint-owned retail locations feature a dedicated green display area that highlights new eco-friendly products and accessories such as the Samsung Reclaim, the SOLIO Solar Charger and carrying cases made from recycled materials.
As part of its commitment to environmental improvements across its business, Sprint established new green design criteria for future devices and accessories and recently announced several new environmental initiatives to support its aggressive environmental goals including a commitment to reduce GHG emissions by 15% by 2017.
In 2008, Sprint achieved a 6.8% reduction moving from 2.18M metric tons of GHG emissions to 2.03M metric tons.
Sprint is a US-based holding company that offers a range of wireless and wireline communications products and services.