Dunkin Donuts has launched a green building certification program to help franchisees build sustainable, energy-efficient restaurants. The company says it will work with franchisees and construction managers to build 100 new certified restaurants by the end of 2016.
To be recognized as a DD Green restaurant, franchisees, construction managers and architects will follow a five-stage program during planning, design, and construction. Those that meet the DD Green criteria will display a DD Green plaque inside the store.
The program includes site development, store efficiency, healthy indoors, sustainable operations and innovation, and community. Each stage includes guidance and metrics that focus on sustainable strategies such as: mitigation of construction pollution and waste recycling, installation of energy-efficient LED light fixtures, mechanical units, and water-saving plumbing fixtures. The standards also pertain to implementation of healthy environments with indoor air quality management and use of zero-VOC paints and a required sustainable building operations training for employees.
Franchisees can achieve two different levels within the program, DD Green, where stores meet minimum sustainable requirements, and DD Green Elite, where stores reach additional suggested goals. UL Environment reviewed the DD Green achievement program structure.
Related Stories
| Oct 18, 2012
More than 65,000 construction, design jobs may be cut if sequestration takes place
About $2 billion worth of construction and design projects would be eliminated if scheduled federal budget cuts, referred to as sequestration, take effect on Jan. 2, 2013.
| Oct 18, 2012
OSHA investigating parking garage collapse that kills four at Doral, Fla. college
OSHA is investigating the collapse of a five-story concrete parking garage under construction at Miami Dade College West Campus in Doral, Fla. that killed four workers and injured several others.
| Oct 18, 2012
EPA commercial building lead paint rule pushed back to 2015
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's inclusion of commercial buildings in a residential lead paint rule is being delayed until 2015.
| Oct 18, 2012
Chicago pushing green roofs to reduce heat island effect
The city of Chicago has mandated that all new buildings that require any public funds must be LEED certified, usually with a green roof.
| Oct 11, 2012
OSHA launches pilot program for alternative dispute resolution on whistleblower complaints
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is launching an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for complaints filed with OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program.
| Oct 11, 2012
Bill promotes investment in commercial, multifamily retrofits
The Commercial Building Modernization Act recently introduced in the Senate would extend and streamline a current tax deduction to encourage commercial and multifamily residential building owners to perform comprehensive energy-efficient retrofits.
| Oct 11, 2012
Morristown, N.Y., settles code violation dispute with Amish
The town of Morristown, N.Y., has dropped charges of building code violations against local Amish communities to settle a First Amendment complaint.
| Oct 11, 2012
Mesquite, Nev., rebels against state-mandated energy code
The city council of Mesquite, Nev., voted against adopting a new energy efficiency code adopted by the state.
