PepsiCo’s Chicago Plaza Earns Energy Star Certification

August 19, 2009

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By implementing several energy-efficient initiatives and upgrades, PepsiCo’s Chicago downtown corporate plaza has earned Energy Star certification. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) also recently awarded the company the 2009 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award.

The 17-story Chicago Plaza, built in 2002, is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Existing Building Silver Certification.

PepsiCo earned the Energy Star certification by improving the building’s energy efficiency performance through several initiatives with the help of its employee “Green Team.” The company installed motion sensors in all conference rooms and offices to automatically shut lights off when they are unoccupied, replaced components of the HVAC system with more energy-efficient equipment, and installed solar and wind power generating equipment on the Sustainability Center’s roof top to help offset the energy consumption of the facility.

To drive energy efficiency efforts by employees, Pepsico created an employee-driven campaign to educate all building occupants on what they can do to reduce their own energy use, and launched an energy-efficiency competition between floors. The company also regulated the temperature throughout the year to reduce heating and cooling loads.

Other LEED-certified PepsiCo buildings include the Tolleson, Wytheville, and Pryor Gatorade facilities, the PepsiCo Chicago Sustainability Center, and the Frito-Lay Rochester Distribution Center.

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Reader Comments

Congratulations! I think this is great. I wish more companies would follow your example.

Michele | August 20th, 2009

I’m curious, was the HVAC system switched out for a geothermal system? I’m happy to hear that big companies like this are taking initiative to become more energy efficient. I think it will benefit them more than they know.

monson | August 21st, 2009

I agree with the other two. That is great! If you think about how many of these stores are all around us… think about how much energy they are saving! Spread the word!

Sally | August 24th, 2009

I wonder, like Michele, if they changed to a
Geothermal system. It is a great start to companies and people working hard in trying to become a bit greener.

Chuck | August 26th, 2009

This is really cool. I think it’s wonderful that so many companies are starting to adopt more green ways of operating. I also wonder if they switched to geothermal. I myself work for a geothermal company and it’s a really great green product.

Bill | August 28th, 2009

I also am curious like the others if they changed to a Geothermal System?

Ricky | September 4th, 2009

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