14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier Sprint announced on Wednesday the opening of its “first environmentally friendly retail store” in Houston, which is located at 1493 Parks at Boulder Creek. According to the company, the new store includes sustainable design elements, such as the energy-efficient lighting fixtures or the low volatile organic compound paint, meant to reduce the carbon footprint of the store.
The wireless operator also added that the store's environmentally friendly elements are consistent with LEED design standards. Moreover, the company also says that the energy-efficient lighting and the low water usage plumbing fixtures, as well as the low VOC paint and carpet are aimed at: - Reducing the carbon footprint of the retail location by about 19,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents. - Saving approximately 12,000 gallons of water per year, reducing water consumption by 54 percent. - Reducing lighting energy consumption by 25 percent. - Conserving energy and improve efficiency through the use of Energy Star-rated equipment and appliances. - Improving 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 new green Houston store is only the first of a long series Sprint plans on opening, as part of its environmental friendly plans. The company aims at including sustainable design elements in future locations that are already planned for the next year, including stores in Kansas City, Albuquerque and Seattle, as well as another retail store in Houston.
Additionally, the carrier notes that its retail locations already include dedicated green display areas where eco-friendly products and accessories are being showed. Among them, we can count the already popular Samsung Reclaim and the SOLIO Solar Charger, not to mention carrying cases that include recycled materials. Further details are available here.