TD Bank has announced it is the largest U.S.-based bank to go carbon neutral. TD Bank has also unveiled the new “green” design for its future stores.

As part of its overall environment strategy, TD Bank reached its carbon neutral goal by building greener buildings, lowering its energy consumption, and making a significant investment in renewable energy from sources like wind, solar and low-impact hydro power. TD Bank has purchased a block of wind energy large enough to power its network of 2,600 ATMs. TD Bank has also purchased 31,000 metric tons of carbon offset credits to eliminate its remaining emissions.

TD Bank says it prides itself on providing its customers with a consistent “WOW! the Customer” experience through products and services, as well as its delivery channels. The bank developed a “prototype store” design that has a similar look and feel so no matter where customers bank, they will have a and consistent store experience from Maine to Florida.

TD Bank has pledged to develop LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified stores opening its first green prototype store in Queens Village, N.Y., at 214-32 Jamaica Avenue, targeted to open in the spring of 2010. The bank expects to open about five to 10 new green stores in 2010. In 2011, the vast majority of new TD Bank stores constructed will be LEED certified and all stores thereafter. The bank has already opened LEED certified offices at 200 State Street in Boston, Mass., and in 2010 plans to open a call center in Auburn, Maine, which it fully intends to LEED certify. LEED evaluates buildings for their overall environmental performance in five areas: sustainable sites, water use, energy efficiency, materials and resource use, and indoor environmental quality. LEED Platinum is the highest level of LEED certification; TD Bank is targeting LEED Platinum certification for its new Queens Village store.

TD Bank’s new 3,800 square-feet prototype stores will reduce energy consumption by 50% compared to previous designs, with nearly 20% of the store’s energy being produced onsite through solar panels and solar drive-thru canopies. The new stores will feature: wood from sustainably managed forests, products that emit little-to-no VOCs (volatile organic materials), walk-off mats and air filters that trap particles of dirt, dust and pollen for improved indoor air quality, insulated glass with a low-E coating to help keep a balanced, temperate environment, and sensors to control lighting. Stores will be maintained with green cleaning products, and will recycle paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastics and disposable batteries.

“TD Bank is committed to protecting the environment and reducing its own greenhouse gas emissions by developing innovative buildings and focusing on sustainability efforts for our employees and customers in a WOW! way,” said Fred Graziano, head of retail banking, TD Bank. “We are proud of what we have accomplished and will continue to look for opportunities to be as efficient as possible in our energy use. It is more important than ever to meet the needs of our planet in the same way we meet the service needs of our customers.”

The new store will continue to provide customers and employees with a comfortable and convenient banking experience and will feature:

–  solar drive-thru canopy – a translucent canopy over the drive-thru lanes that generates electricity for the store
–  kids’ center – a place where children can test their financial literacy knowledge and skills, as well as learn about some of the green features of the building
–  customer service islands – convenient and customer friendly stations to learn more about the bank’s products and services from customer service representatives
–  wall murals – highlighting a local historic scene
–  drive up ATM – making TD Bank even more convenient, the drive up ATM allows customers to save time and access their accounts 24 hours a day
–  lots of glass to allow natural daylight and views to the outside
–  excellent indoor air quality
–  exterior walls and glazing that keeps the store cool in the summer and warm in the winter
–  water efficient plumbing fixtures
–  environmentally friendly materials and finishes made of recycled materials
–  secure bicycle parking
–  new design for Penny Arcade, TD Bank’s free interactive coin counting machine
–  landscape designed with drought-tolerant plants and shrubs that do not need to be watered regularly.

Source: TD Bank

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