Sept. 25, 2007 The world's two largest office products sellers are each planning their first LEED-certified retail outlets.

Staples has already begun construction on its first LEED store the first LEED retail building in Miami. Green features of the new store, which will be built in compliance with LEED silver certification standards, include a rainwater collection system, waterless urinals and low-flow toilets, and a highly reflective roofing system to cope with Miami's intense heat. Construction elements such as drywall, concrete, and carpeting will incorporate recycled materials. The store will also offer customers on-site recycling for paper, plastic, glass, and cardboard in addition to the computer, electronics, and ink cartridge recycling offered at all Staples locations.

Office Depot is laying the groundwork for its own LEED-certified store in Austin, Texas. Slated to open in mid-2008, the new store will build on the company's previous successes with green building features. For example, Office Depot piloted the use of "daylight harvesting" at its store in Greensboro, North Carolina. The company estimates that this and other energy efficiency measures have reduced the greenhouse gas emissions across all its facilities by 10%.