Union Market awarded Progressive Grocer’s Green Grocer Award 2010

It may be a small operator, but Brooklyn, N.Y.-based three-store independent Union Market is a giant in the field of environmental innovation. The culmination of its commitment to green causes is the opening late last year of its third location, in the Cobble Hill section of the New York City borough. In its quest to obtain LEED gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, Union Market has focused on all aspects of being a green business, which means carefully selecting its products, as well as implementing sustainable building practices and store operations.

When compared with a conventional store, Union Market uses over 30 percent less energy. To achieve that impressive goal, the following features were incorporated into the building design: six large skylights to increase daylighting, along with daylighting controls; motion sensors; HPT8 [high-performance T8] florescent lighting; a highly efficient HVAC system; and a heat recovery system. Other green practices include the purchase of 100 percent renewable energy for electrical use, a CFC-free refrigeration system, and indoor air-quality improvements with the use of low/0 volatile organic compound (VOC) and urea-formaldehyde-free materials, increased ventilation and improved air filtration.

"We can proudly say that nearly all demolition waste — 95 percent — was diverted from being dumped in a landfill," notes co-owner Marko Lalic. "We are serious about the need to reuse and recycle, so we do so ourselves: we compost, recycle and provide reusable and 100 percent biodegradable bags. We also provide full shower and locker facilities for employees who commute by bike, and hope to encourage others to lower their own carbon footprint."

As for future green projects, the grocer is currently in the process of procuring two more Brooklyn locations, with the aim of seeking LEED gold certification for each store, says Aida Stoddard of Brooklyn-based Bright City Group, which was project manager and LEED consultant on the Cobble Hill project. Union Market will also boost the energy efficiency of its existing stores via material and lighting upgrades.
—B.G.