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Local Outdoor Store Goes Green
Local Outdoor Store Goes Green
Charleston Regional Business Journal
December 21, 2006
Charleston-based Half-Moon Outfitters will look a bit greener after a 10-month renovation on its new distribution center, scheduled to begin this week.
Consultants to the project say the building is expected to become one of the first in the Southeast to attain the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum certification. Currently, there are fewer than 10 LEED Platinum projects in the United States and none in the Southeast.
"Given the environmental aspect of our business, we were compelled to do it and to do it right. It's an expensive endeavor, but the benefits to the environment, and over time to the bottom line, make it more than worth the effort and investment," said Beezer Molten, owner of Half-Moon.
The new distribution center includes rainwater collection for irrigation and commode flushing, a 4.2-kilowatt solar energy system and paints and finishes manufactured without volatile organic compounds. Desks are made of a rapidly renewable material known as Dakota Burl, a pressed plywood-type board made from the discarded shells of sunflower seeds. Much of the wood needed is regionally harvested native South Carolina cedar and pine. Salvaged, recycled or sustainable harvested materials make up a large part of the remaining construction materials.
"As building green becomes more common across the country, it's great to see a small, privately held business go the extra mile and make this kind of investment to protect the environment," said Nathan Gauthier, LEED consultant for the project.
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