"We never intended for this story to be green," says Lee AnnJorgenson, a community relations manager of Stillwater, MN-basedCub Foods. But President Brian Huff suggested the possibility andthe process took off from there, she continues.

Other techniques used at the store include recycling half thewaste from demolished buildings on the site, a water-savinglandscape irrigation system, and recycling of building constructionmaterials. But those technologies can be used at many otherbuilding types.

Because they sell food and other perishable items, supermarketshave special needs require adaptation to be 'green'. Energy usecannot be curtailed during off hours in areas that storeperishables, for example. Still, Cub Foods has received an awardfrom the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) GreenChillPartnership at Gold-Level Certification. The award is given foroutstanding use of environmentally friendly refrigerationtechnology. Even lighting refrigerated cases can be managed.