I’ve objected in the past to the use of the Starbucks/Dunkin Donuts distinction as a class signifier. Starbucks is from the Pacific Northwest and its stores are disproportionately located out west. Dunkin’ Donuts, by contrast, is from New England and manages to do a brisk business in such hoity toity outposts as Cambridge, MA. Well, strike another blow for Dunkin’ elitism as the chain opens its first LEED certified store:
The restaurant features energy-efficient insulated concrete foam walls to reduce air conditioning use by approximately 40 percent, energy-efficient lighting – including motion sensors for restrooms and offices, and water-efficient plumbing fixtures including low-flush toilets and well water rather than potable water for all irrigation.
In addition, the restaurant will have an on-site Earthworm Casting facility, which will house 80 pounds of red earthworms to eat the waste produced by the store. Dunkin’ Donuts will also donate leftover baked goods to America’s Second Harvest, a local food bank.
Supposedly this will serve as an prototype for future green construction by the chain.
Previous in TP Yglesias
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