Kum & Go Showcases Efficiency Efforts for Earth Day

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- In honor of Earth Day, which is celebrated on April 22, Kum & Go has launched a 3-D model of its newest store design. The model highlights all the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and energy efficient features the locally headquartered retailer has incorporated in its convenience stores.

According to the company's website, Kum & Go's new store design, construction process and operational practices place a strong emphasis on sustainability. The company noted that all of its new concept stores since 2011 are being submitted for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. In addition, the c-store operator continues to make its construction process more efficient, renewable, safe and responsible, and estimates it will invest an additional $2 million on these improvements in 2012.

Kum & Go traces its efforts to go green back several years. In December 2009, it became the first convenience store in Iowa to receive LEED certifications when two stores were certified: one in Johnston and the other in Des Moines.

The new 3-D model lets users explore such store features as LED lighting, sustainable materials, reflective roof, water-saving fixtures and single-stream recycling -- to name just a few.