Leadership in energy and environmental design - USA

A “gentle footprint” is the Nestlé Waters USA approach to constructing its newest facilities. Its plant in Mecosta, Michigan was amongst the first food manufacturing facilities in the USA to earn the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and Silver LEED Certifications from the USA Green Building Council. Subsequently, plants in California, Texas, Florida and Tennessee have achieved the esteemed Silver level LEED Certification. “Green buildings” significantly reduce or eliminate negative impact on the environment and its occupants. Key green features of the Cabazon plant include: managing the quality of storm water runoff; reducing the need for irrigation by using native and water conserving plants; using low-flow, water-saving fixtures in bathrooms; and treatment of waste water through natural biologic filtration before the water is recharged to groundwater sources. Since the plant opened in 2002, more than 9 million gallons of water have been conserved.