McDonald’s targets LEED Gold for California site

New York City A renovated McDonald's in Riverside, Calif., became the first McDonald's west of the Mississippi, and the fourth in the United Sates, to seek LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.

The building, which has stood as a McDonald's restaurant for 44 years, reopened after a renovation that made the building more sustainable and energy-efficient. The new green features include:

• Light colored hardscape to reduce heat emissions from site;
• Native drought tolerant plants to reduce water consumption by landscape;
• Low flow plumbing fixtures to reduce water usage;
• Installation of 294 photovoltaic panels to generate a percentage of the restaurant's power consumption; and
• Recycled denim insulation inside the building.

The restaurant features an interactive touch-screen display for visitors to learn about the building, environmental sustainability, and how individuals can reduce their carbon footprint.

Other LEED-certified McDonald's restaurants are located in Cary, N.C., Savannah, Ga., and Chicago. The Riverside restaurant expects to receive LEED certification within one year.