H-E-B Plans First-of-its-kind Green Store

San Antonio-based supermarket chain H-E-B plans to build its most sustainable store in Texas’ capital city of Austin, using the new store as a test bed for expansion of recycling and reduction of energy and water use before rolling these features out at other stores.

Plans call for high-efficiency air conditioning and refrigeration, sensor-driven lighting systems and enhanced insulation in ceilings and walls, the Austin American-Statesman reported. Measures to conserve water include low-flow sinks and toilets; landscaping will feature drought-resistant plants, and sprinklers will use reclaimed water, the American-Statesman reported.

With this new store, H-E-B aims to qualify for Austin Energy's Green Building program and at least a silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

With construction scheduled to begin late next year, the new 75,000-square-foot market will be built at Mueller, part of a 110,000-square-foot shopping center planned for the southeast corner of East 51st Street and Berkman Drive in Austin, the American-Statesman reported. With a grocery store reportedly in great demand for the area, the new store is slated to open in 2013.

There are two other H-E-B stores within a 3-mile radius of the planned new market, but there are no plans to close either of those locations.