Making sense of sustainability

• Transparency

  The disclosure of ingredients in a product. CS can contribute to LEED v4's Materials & Resources credit, Option 1, by offering Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Silver & Gold products.

• Optimization

  The process of improving products from a health and safety perspective. An optimized product generally means a product that uses safer ingredients. CS meets LEED v4's Material & Resources Option 2, by offering C2C Certified Silver and Gold products.

• LEED Compliant

  A product that helps a building achieve LEED certification. Products cannot be "LEED certified", but CS offers numerous products that contribute points towards achievement of various LEED certification standards (i.e. LEED 2009, LEED v4, LEED for Schools, LEED for Healthcare, etc.).

• LBC Red-List Free

  The Living Building Challenge (LBC) Red-List is a list of worst-in-class materials and chemicals prevalent in the building industry. Red-List chemicals are environmental pollutants, bio-accumulative toxins and other substances harmful to human and environmental health. A product is considered red-list free if it contains none of the 22 classes of chemicals prohibited in buildings seeking a Living Building Challenge certification. The Red-List has gained prominence over the years and is now often utilized as a screening tool, even for those who are not seeking LBC certification.

• Cradle to Cradle Certified

  A multi-attribute, third-party certification, administered by the Cradle to Cradle Institute. The C2C certification embodies a design philosophy that addresses five product categories: 1) material health; 2) material reutilization; 3) renewable energy & carbon management; 4) water stewardship; and 5) social fairness. CS has 11 C2C certifications at the Silver or Gold level.

• CDPH Standard Method v1.1 VOC Emission Testing

  The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Standard Method for the Testing and Evaluation of Volatile Organic Chemical (VOC) Emission from Indoor Sources Using Environmental Chambers is an expanded standard for what is commonly known as California Specification 01350. It is one of the most widely used standards to evaluate building and interior products for low chemical emissions. CS offers products that are compliant with General Emission Evaluation CDPH Standard Method v1.1 and have total volatile organic compound (TVOC) results.

• FSC® C007385

  The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) is an international nongovernmental organization that promotes responsible forest management. By choosing FSC certified products, you are supporting responsible management of the world’s forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits. CS offers wood products that are FSC certified.

• Rapidly Renewable

  CS offer rapidly-renewable feedstocks, such as bamboo, that contribute to LEED.

• WELL

  The WELL Building Standard™ is a building certification standard that focuses on advancing health and well-being in buildings and communities. The WELL building standard is managed by the International WELL Building Institute. CS offers products that contribute to this certification.

• SCAQMD Rule #1168 Allowable VOC Limits

  CS utilizes adhesives, caulks & sealants that meet South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Rule #1168 VOC limits. This is a requirement for LEED IEQ c4.1 and LEED v4 Low-Emitting Materials, Wet Applied Products.

• NAF and ULEF Composite Wood

  CS offers products that meet LEED credits for no-added formaldehyde (NAF) resins or ultra-low emitting formaldehyde (ULEF) resins.

• mindful MATERIALS (mM)

  CS is a participant in mM, a design industry initiative that provides a common platform for manufacturers to communicate transparency and optimization information for their products. Architects and designers can receive access to this free platform by signing up here.