Woodlands MRT station was unveiled as Singapore's first eco-friendly train stop by National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, an MP for Sembawang GRC, on Monday morning.

It is SMRT's first station to receive the Building and Construction Authority's Green Mark (Gold) in April this year.

Environmental impact of its facilities and operations was assessed in six areas - energy efficiency, water efficiency, environmental protection, indoor environmental quality, other green features and innovation and sustainable operations and management.

The station has implemented energy efficient escalators and lift which are sensor-operated. Bathroom fittings also help reduce flow-rate of water for more efficient water management.

Most of the 33 tenants at Woodlands Xchange, a shopping area that has retail and food and beverage shops within the station, were also the first shops in Singapore to be certified with the new Project: Eco-Shop label at the event.

Under this label, shops like Starbucks and Burger King were recognised for environmental initiatives. The other tenants are expected to be certified by year end.

Jointly developed by SMRT and the Singapore Environment Council, the label encourages shops to adopt green practices. This includes eco-friendly practices and installing such green fixtures in shops.

President and chief executive of SMRT Corporation Desmond Kuek said: "These achievements encourage us to take greater strides in our quest to reduce our environmental footprint and we seek to adopt this model of 'green' operations at our other MRT stations and Xchanges."