U.S. CELLULAR ANNOUNCES LEED-CERTIFIED WIRELESS STORE IN FREEPORT

Freeport store offers customers and associates an environmentally friendly retail space.

FREEPORT, IL, – U.S. Cellular announced that its Freeport retail store on 2705 IL Rte. 26 S. has received official Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

"LEED certification in this renovation is a commendable accomplishment," said Freeport Mayor George Gaulrapp. "We appreciate U.S. Cellular recognizing that technological leaders also need to lead their community in achieving goals of sustainability."

The sustainable retail space in Freeport uses plumbing fixtures and faucets that reduce water usage by 40 percent. All carpeting, ceilings and furniture in the store are made from recycled content. The daily recycling of paper, metals, cardboard and plastics generated by business operations reduce the amount of waste going into landfills.

"We’ve been implementing green design elements for the last several years because it reduces our impact on the environment and the lower energy consumption also helps us cut costs," said Cheryl Church, director of sales for U.S. Cellular in western Illinois. "We’re taking these steps because we believe it’s the right thing to do."

While the Freeport location is U.S. Cellular’s first LEED certified store in the region, all of the company’s retail stores are being outfitted with environmentally friendly fixtures, such as energy-efficient lighting that reduces overall energy consumption by 25 percent. Additionally, more than 90 percent of all computers, equipment and appliances installed in U.S. Cellular stores are Energy Star products, which are designed to cut back on excessive energy output.

LEED is a third-party certification program governed by the United States Green Building Council, which recognizes buildings that use energy-efficient systems like water and lighting, and are constructed with eco-friendly materials.