PCC Community Markets' Downtown and Kirkland stores have earned the Living Building Challenge Petal Certification, established and awarded by the International Living Future Institute for meeting the world’s most rigorous green building standards, according to the retailer. These locations join Ballard PCC, the world’s first grocery store to receive this certification, in addition to PCC’s West Seattle and Bellevue stores, in this recognition.
“The work to become LBC Petal-Certified ensures that the design of our stores and the building material choices align with the equally high standards for the products on our shelves,” said PCC Director of Store Design Lori Ross, in a statement. “The certifications for Downtown and Kirkland are significant milestones in the co-op’s practice of regenerative operations and advance the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve.”
The Living Building Challenge consists of seven key performance categories or Petals with each subdivided into precise Imperatives. Certifications are awarded to projects that achieve at least three Petals. In pursuit of ILFI’s Petal Certification, both PCC locations met stringent requirements for the materials, place, and beauty Petals.
The Living Building Challenge is a philosophy, certification, and advocacy tool that defines the leading measure of sustainability and provides a framework for projects that move towards becoming truly regenerative. PCC’s five LBC Petal-Certified stores—a third of the co-op’s total store portfolio—illustrate PCC’s approach to reducing environmental harm and creating spaces that have a strong connection to their neighborhoods as well as nature, according to the retailer.
“PCC Community Markets is showing that ambitious, regenerative building practices can be applied across a real estate portfolio to bring their mission of nourishing communities to life,” said Lindsay Baker, CEO of the International Living Future Institute, in a statement. “Their efforts chart a path for other businesses that want to translate commitments around climate, health and justice into tangible, meaningful action.”
Related: PCC Celebrates 70 Years; Retailers Work to Heal Planet During Earth Month.