Starbucks Coffee has opened a LEED Silver-certified roasting plant in Calhoun County, South Carolina. About 20 percent of the building was made from recycled content and more than 75 percent of construction waste was recycled.
The plant features efficient lighting and water fixtures, drought-tolerant landscape and will use wind energy to power a portion of the plant's operations.
The company says many of the green design elements utilized for the project are also being integrated into the company's other roasting plants and retail stores.
Starbucks has committed to LEED certification for all new company-operated stores by the end of 2010. The company has previously received LEED Gold certification for Seattle's Starbucks Center.
Last year, Starbucks was criticized for its wasteful water policy. In response, the company introduced an “interim operational procedure” with instructions to switch off the dipper well tap and wash spoons after use.