Spanish fashion chain Zara has received a Gold certification for sustainability in the LEED scoring system for its Melbourne store.

The Bourke street shop designed by Zara's Spanish team, has been named the benchmark for the chain's approach to environmental awareness.

It received the US Building Council promoted certification for sustainable architecture for a variety of initiatives implemented throughout the store.

Zara rolled out a plan in 2011 to promote environmental awareness in all of its stores and upgrade to sustainable standards.

The goal of the plan is to "apply stringent energy conservation, waste reduction and sustainability standards to each of the Group's new stores and to renovations of existing stores."

The Melbourne store has received the rating through a number of initiatives including a 37 percent reduction in water use, a lighting system that saves 10 percent on energy and green power contracted for two years in order to encourage the renewable energy technologies.

Other initiatives include:

  • Reduce the heat island effect by using reflective paints on the roof to minimise the impact on surrounding micro climate.
  • A system for the selective collection of recyclables and specific protocols for recycling clothes hangers, security tags and delivery boxes.
  • Implementation of 14 bicycle racks for Zara customers and employees to promote alternative transportation and contribute to pollution reduction and other impacts from automobile use.
  • Increase levels of energy conservation by zoning the conditioned space and establishing active controls in response to space demand.
  • 78 percent of the waste recycled during the construction process recovering resources back to the manufacturing process and thus reducing the use of raw materials.
  • Installation of permanent monitoring systems to ensure appropriate ventilation in the shop and improving occupants comfort and well-being.
  • Monitoring and maintenance of air quality during the construction process.
  • Use of low emitting materials for the finishes of the shop in order to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants.
  • Implement measures to prevent the entry of pollutants into the shop susceptible of affecting indoor air quality.
  • Provide high level of employees´ environmental control, thus enhancing lighting and thermal comfort.

Zara aims to have 100 percent eco-efficient stores around the world by 2020 by reducing energy usage by 20 percent and emissions by 30percent.

Image: Herald Sun