We believe our business operations and the natural world are closely linked. We are working to make the world a better place by reducing our impact on the environment.
We are working to be good stewards of the environment. We carry these efforts out in our restaurants, regional offices and corporate headquarters. We work closely with our vendors to purchase products and services with a view toward energy efficiency and environmental impact. Below are just a few of the many measures we are taking to improve our environmental efforts.
Wendy’s First LEED Restaurant Receives Certification
Restaurant Opened in October 2010 in Bridgeton, MO
Wendy’s first LEED-designed restaurant, which opened in October 2010 in Bridgeton, Missouri, recently received its Silver Certification from the U.S Green Building Council. A LEED-certified building is one that meets criteria for having a sustainable, environmentally friendly and energy-efficient design.
The Company-owned restaurant, located in a suburb of St. Louis, is a standard Wendy’s design that incorporates elements required to be LEED certified, from special exterior lighting and building materials, to the site location, which is in an urban setting and on public transportation lines.
Wendy’s restaurants have been energy efficient for years. When we started the design process, just a few modifications to our standard restaurant design had to be made in order to meet strict LEED standards.
Some of the design enhancements include:
- Special building materials made from recycled materials for wall coverings and floor tile;
- Recycling bins for plastic, glass, metal, paper and cardboard;
- Signage in the restaurant that educates customers about the environment and how this restaurant is eco-friendly;
- Landscaping with native plants which need no irrigation or fertilizer;
- Rain garden created to ensure water is filtrated on site and does not add to urban run-off;
- Exterior lighting with LED fixtures to save energy;
- Preferred parking spaces for low-emitting and fuel-efficient vehicles; and carpooling customers
- Where possible, materials used in the building were processed and manufactured within 500 miles of Bridgeton.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is an internationally recognized green building certification system. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings are rated based on five categories: energy savings; water efficiency; improved indoor environmental quality; materials and resources; and sustainable sites.
Energy Management
We strive to become best-in-class in the way we purchase and use energy in an effort to reduce costs and lower consumption of energy sources that cause greenhouse gas emissions. Wendy’s considers energy efficiency in the selection of all equipment, goods and services.
- We’ve implemented an energy management program in our company-owned restaurants which has significantly reduced overall energy consumption.
- We’re converting to more efficient lighting when appropriate (e.g. LED and compact fluorescent lighting.)
- We encourage ongoing energy conservation by all employees.
- We work with suppliers to further develop and invest in innovative energy technologies.