Islandia Walgreens project reduces greenhouse gas

A recently completed project at the Walgreens in Islandia utilizes sustainable refrigerants as a replacement for climate-altering greenhouse gas refrigerants, according to a statement from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

The DEC says the project is a model for future commercial sustainable refrigeration transitions in supermarkets and drugstores in disadvantaged communities.

The Islandia Walgreens upgraded from synthetic HFC refrigerants to systems that use natural alternatives. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are often used in refrigeration and cooling and can have hundreds to thousands of times higher global warming potentials than natural refrigerants, meaning HFCs have a significant impact on climate change, according to the DEC statement.

Buildings contribute 32 percent of statewide greenhouse gas emissions in New York, the most of all sectors. The Climate Action Council Scoping Plan recommends phasing out HFCs, which are extremely potent greenhouse gasses, to advance emission reductions in this sector. 

“Walgreens is committed to staying at the front end of sustainable solutions,” Greg Sisk, from Walgreens Engineering, said in the statement. “This project and similar projects completed in other parts of the country are a demonstration of our commitment to our roadmap for implementing lower global warming potential refrigerants and enhancing development of maintenance labor competency through commercialization and adoption of new technology.”