The popular outfitters department store Mountain Equipment Co-op is well know for being a green company. From providing bike racks to building a self-sustaining prairie environments on their downtown Toronto department building, they have a track record for setting the green bar high.

Their latest store in Burlington, Ontario has taken going green to another level.

For starters their white rooftop detracts heat from the sun while their rooftop windows provide free, bright light. Additionally there are two massive solar arrays that provide heat in addition to electiricy.

Water is collected from the roof from rain and snow and used for their toilets and there is special reserved parking for energy efficient hybrid vehicles.

The building is 68 percent more energy efficient than other department stores of similar size.

Part of that is due to their new air conditioning system. In so many words, they will be using ice to keep their store cool during hot summer days.

They are using a system known as Ice Bear. It’s essentially a refrigeration system that freezes water in a large cube and then distributes the cool air from the ice.

MEC acknowledges that there is certainly no ROI on investing in the Ice Bear. It is double the cost of conventional air conditioners. But it’s much better for the environment.

As a result of all there greener innovations they have been awarded the LEED Gold Rating.

From TheStar.com: Utilities warming to ice-storage air-cooling systems
From The Urben Country: Mountain Equipment Co-op Takes Home Gold

Gregory Business, Environment, Interest, Service Ice Bear, MEC