SEATTLE, WA. - February 5, 2009 - Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), the national outdoor gear and clothing retail cooperative, today announced that its prototype store in Boulder, Colo. has been awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

REI Boulder is a remodeled and expanded store that reopened in the fall of 2007, and serves as the co-op's first prototype location. The prototype store was designed to improve the in-store experience and reduce its environmental footprint by focusing on energy efficiency, water conservation, the use of recycled and renewable materials, and more.

"The design and construction of our Boulder store has allowed REI to test innovative technologies and concepts, pushing the co-op to a new level of sustainability," said Brian Unmacht, REI's executive vice president of Sales, Store Development and Logistics. "Receiving LEED Gold certification from USGBC reaffirms our efforts to better align our facilities and operations with our commitment to being good environmental stewards, while serving as a gateway to the outdoors."

LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national certification program for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings that provide immediate and measurable results for building owners and occupants. LEED awards points in six major environmental categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design.

"REI continues to reinforce its leadership in green building design and its Boulder store is another example of this commitment," said Rick Fedrizzi, USGBC's president, CEO and founding chair. "Using smart and efficient choices to lessen its buildings' impacts on the natural world, REI Boulder complements USGBC's vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation."

Highlights of REI Boulder's green features include:

• Solatubes(TM) to channel natural light throughout the store, coupled with a control system that automatically dims or turns off fluorescent lights during the day to save energy


• A building integrated photovoltaic system to generate electricity through imbedded silicon solar cells "“ the first installation of its kind in a retail environment


• A solar hot water system that meets 70 percent of the store's hot water needs from bathrooms and employee showers


• High efficiency plumbing fixtures to reduce water use by more than 30 percent


• Ceramic metal halide fixtures, as opposed to incandescent bulbs, to improve lighting, reduce energy use and last longer


• Materials made from rapidly renewable resources, and/or recycled, post-consumer or post-production waste


• More than 55 percent of construction waste diverted from landfills


• Shower facilities, bike storage and incentive programs encourage employees to use alternative means of transportation


• Comprehensive operational initiatives, such as green cleaning and employee waste management and recycling programs

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

REI is an outdoor retail co-op dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure. Founded in 1938 by a group of Pacific Northwest mountaineers seeking quality equipment, REI operates retail stores nationwide, two online stores and an adventure travel company, REI Adventures. REI offers products from top brands for camping, climbing, cycling, hiking, outdoor fitness, paddling, snowsports and travel, including its own line of award-winning gear and apparel. REI is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and increasing access to outdoor recreation through education, volunteerism, gear donations and financial contributions.

More from Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)