Mast General Store

630 West King St.
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 963-6511
http://www.mastgeneralstore.com

Score

133

The Mast General Store in Historic Valle Crucis is the community’s center. For 126 years, friends, neighbors and visitors have gathered to share the news of the day and to find all the necessary items for life. Over the last two decades, the traditions of the old general store have moved to Main Street in a family of historic stores in Boone, Waynesville, Hendersonville, and Asheville in North Carolina, Greenville in South Carolina, and Knoxville in Tennessee. These shopping destinations provide not only retail goods, but also an experience hearkening back to yesteryear.

Best Practice Highlights

While all Mast Stores participate in many forms of green practices, the location in Downtown Boone is the one achieving a three-star score. Many of the plans implemented are the result of suggestions of employees and/or the Sustainability Committee. While the Mast Store is taking steps toward sustainability, the company realizes that it is far from green. As it makes sense, the company incorporates new practices into its green toolbox.

Mast Transit Program – Employees are encouraged to take alternative transportation to work – walk, bicycle, public transportation, or carpooling. An incentive program is in place to reward employees who participate.

Recycling – The Mast Store was one of the first locations outside of grocery stores to install a cardboard baler to bind up its boxes. Now the organization recycles its glass, plastic, paper, and cardboard, along with its fluorescent tubes. It also recycles the plastic bags from shirts, jackets, and other goods.

At MastStoreOnline, located at the Boone store, many shipping materials from receiving – bubble wrap, tissue paper, Styrofoam peanuts, etc. - are recycled for filling orders.

Recycling boxes are placed throughout the store to invite guests to help out with recycling, too.

Carbon Credits – Fuel usage is a concern for everyone. The Mast Store offsets its delivery trucks’ carbon footprints by purchasing carbon credits from NC Green Power.

Rain Barrel – To help maintain the plantings in the parking lot, a rain barrel collects run-off from the roof.

Supporting the Local Community – The Mast Store is an integral part of each of its communities. In Boone, the organization actively supports the arts, festivals, conservation, and human services through monetary donations and staff time.

How Mast General Store received its rating...

Based on the level of performance, a participating business is awarded a Level of Green Excellence ranking of one, three, or five stars. Certification is valid for two years.

In order to achieve the level of 3, Mast General Store acquired a minimum of 90 points.