Patagonia's Reno Service Center was recently honored with the GOLD level Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. With this certification, Patagonia's distribution center becomes only the second D.C. in the U.S. to hold such a title. Patagonia's Service Center is the first building in the state of Nevada to achieve a Gold LEED certification. Across the U.S., only 171 buildings hold the gold LEED certification.

The recently expanded and remodeled Reno Service Center was specially constructed with the help of local architectural firm Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects and General Contractor, Trammell Crow Construction, and the advice and direction of a numerous key subcontractors, to help mitigate the building's effect on the environment, which is part and parcel of the Patagonia philosophy.

“Building the new service facility was a challenging but rewarding process that allowed us to evaluate, select and install newer technologies that result in a far superior working environment while following sustainable building practices,” notes Dave Abeloe, Patagonia's distribution center director, “These technologies provide greater energy savings, improved water conservation and storm water management, increased day-lighting opportunities and incorporate the extensive use of recycled materials.”

Patagonia incorporated some of the following characteristics to achieve Gold certification: 100% of building electric power is supplied by renewable power; improved energy performance that results in 47% energy cost savings; specialized water technologies that result in a 42% reduction of potable water and 50% of irrigation water; 93% of construction waste was recycled during remodel; 95% of all in-house waste is recycled and over 50% of all wood materials are FSC certified. To learn more about the environmental- friendliness of the center, please visit the below link.