Syracuse, NY- Destiny USA will host a Green celebration on Friday, March 1 at 10:30am in concert with the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA). Destiny USA will received the OCRRA Blue Ribbon Recycler of the Year Award for 2012 while celebrating its one year anniversary of its LEED® Gold certification.
On February 6, 2012, Destiny USA obtained LEED® Gold certification from the United States Green Building Council making its expansion the largest LEED® Gold certified retail commercial building in the country. Additional sustainability efforts included requiring all new venues within the 1.3 million square foot expansion to obtain LEED® status as well. Since, more than 57 venues are certified or in the certification process. Recent certifications include:
- Chico’s - LEED® Silver
- BCBG MaxAzria- LEED® Silver
- Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th - LEED®
- Michael Kors - LEED® Silver
- Quiksilver - LEED® Gold
“Each of our new venues has shown dedication and drive to participate in the program and achieve LEED® certification,” David Aitken of Destiny USA stated. “To look back at 2012 and see all of the changes, advances and sustainable programming implemented facility wide is surreal. We have a truly dedicated team committed to growth, sustainability and success. It’s something we’re very proud of and we are honored to be recognized by OCRRA.”
In January 2013, OCRRA honored Destiny USA with the Blue Ribbon Recycler of the Year award for 2012. The award is presented to businesses that meet stringent criteria set forth by OCRRA’s Blue Ribbon Recycler program. Destiny USA is the only business in Onondaga County to receive the prestigious award.
To be considered for the award, Destiny USA introduced several new programs and initiatives throughout 2012 to create a more sustainable environment. In July 2012, the facility launched a center wide composting program which has since collected more than 140 tons of food waste. The facility has also shown a 78% reduction in water use through its rainwater harvesting system that includes a retention pond on site. All paper products are provided by Green Seal Cleaning and consist of recycled content.
“OCRRA’s Blue Ribbon Recycler Certification program is an ongoing effort to recognize local businesses that are going above and beyond in recycling, composting and waste reduction,” noted OCRRA’s Executive Director Mark Donnelly. “Destiny USA was an early adopter of large-scale, food scrap composting through OCRRA’s Compost Program. They helped their vendors see the value of repurposing a former waste material into a useful garden product; this type of leadership sets a great environmental example that others can replicate at their place of business. Visit www.OCRRA.org to learn more about Destiny USA’s green efforts or to apply to be a 2013 Blue Ribbon Recycler.”
Destiny USA will celebrate with OCRRA on the first level in the Canyon Area on March 1 at 10:30am.
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About OCRRA: OCRRA is a not-for-profit public benefit corporation created by the New York State Legislature to manage the solid waste, or large amounts of trash and recycling, produced in Onondaga County. The organization is responsible for providing options for the safe disposal of garbage and the recycling of items that were once sent to a landfill.
It is not an arm of County Government, nor does it receive tax support for its programs. The majority of OCRRA’s revenue is generated from fees users pay to deliver trash to our locations, as well as the sale of energy created at the self-sufficient Waste-to-Energy Facility in Jamesville, NY. For more information, visit www.OCRRA.org.
Destiny USA is a 2.4 million square foot tourist destination in Syracuse, NY that includes a strong mix of luxury outlet tenants, restaurants and entertainment. New brands are continuing to open to create a unique and dynamic consumer shopping experience. A stunning three-story glass atrium provides perfect weather year round. Oxford Economics has projected an annual visitation rate of over 29 million visitors from throughout the U.S. and Canada. Destiny USA is expected to be the second most visited shopping center in the country, according to Travel and Leisure magazine. It is the largest LEED® Gold certified retail commercial building in the world.
