FLORIDA - Beech-Nut Nutrition Corp. has received national recognition for the energy-efficient design of its new facility.
Beech-Nut has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification by the U.S. Green Building Council and the Green Building Certification Institute. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.
The Beech-Nut building, which opened in June 2010, was designed to achieve LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, company officials said. The building's design conserves energy and water in the following ways:
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Beech-Nut’s new building, above, has been awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification.
Leader-Herald file photo
Annual energy savings equal to the energy demands of more than 2,000 people.
Water conservation equal to what a city of 10,000 people would consume.
Reduction in wastewater discharge equal to the discharge of 10,000 people.
An open-floor plan that allows natural light to flow through the building.
Maintenance-free landscaping.
"We are extremely grateful for the support of New York state in our efforts to build the first infant food-manufacturing facility in the world to receive LEED certification," Jim Schneider, president and CEO of Beech-Nut, said in a news release. "The collaboration and assistance from Empire State Development Corp., New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as well as former Assembly member Paul Tonko has made today's announcement a reality."
Schneider said Beech-Nut is committed to saving energy and water. "By using less energy and water, Beech-Nut is able to save resources for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the community, for future generations," he said.
Hill & Markes, which also moved into a new building in the town of Florida, has applied for LEED certification as well.