“Through the years at Perdue, we’ve built a program of protecting and preserving the environment through such projects as Perdue AgriRecycle, the first large-scale litter recycling operation, investments in our state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facilities, and reformulation of products and processes to reduce waste streams,” said Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms. “Now having LEED Platinum certification of our corporate offices helps underscore our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility.”
LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built to achieve high performance in key areas of human health and environmental impact, such as sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.
Perdue’s corporate office remodel features an environment that incorporates technologies and methodologies that deliver a smaller environmental footprint.
“LEED Platinum certification of the remodeled corporate offices reflects our corporate responsibility platform of ‘we believe in responsible food and agriculture,’ and conveys to all of our constituents an image consistent with our values, vision and aspirations,” said Steve Schwalb, vice president of environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility. “We’re proud to join the other Platinum-certified organizations in Maryland, including the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Robinson Nature Center, whose LEED-certified buildings reflect our mutual dedication to resource restoration and environmental protection and preservation.
“We were able to renovate the corporate office to meet our needs for years to come versus expanding the existing structure or build new offices. It reflects our commitment to environmental and fiscal responsibility,” said Schwalb.
Highlights of the corporate office that earned LEED recognition include reused 99.6 percent of existing building envelope; diverted 97 percent – 631 tons – of construction waste from landfill; 42.3 percent water reduction through low-flow plumbing fixtures; reused 12.7 percent of total resources; 24.3 percent of materials content manufactured using recycled materials; 40.1 percent of building materials manufactured within 500 miles; 72.8 percent of wood-based products harvested from Forest Stewardship Council certified forests; up to 95 percent of the energy demand for the corporate office is generated by the solar field during occupied daytime hours and, on average, the solar field supplies up to 40 percent of the total energy demand (daytime and nighttime hours combined); integrated carbon dioxide sensors and rooftop fresh air handlers help exceed minimum air quality standards by 30 percent (Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers); nearly 40 percent reduction in utility demand through energy efficient HVAC, lighting and on-demand hot water heaters; bicycle racks encourage alternative transportation; preferred parking for fuel-efficient vehicles; and pervious patio pavers prevent storm water runoff.
