Core77

Best Buy will be the first major retailer of its kind and size to commit to mandatory green building for all its new stores beginning in mid-2008. The gadgets/gizmos giant is one in a group of companies, including Starbucks, Target, and Lowe's, participating in a pilot program for bulk LEED certification in association with the U.S. Green Building Council. There's no word on what level of certification Best Buy's shooting for (hopefully not the bare minimum dealie) but plans for eco-friendliness include, sustainable building materials, energy efficient lights, HVAC, and electronics, gray water recycling, and other implementations of renewable energy. Best Buy also plans to retrofit 20% of its existing stores with more efficient lighting while increasing recycling activity for cardboard, plastic, and consumer electronics.