Sustainability
"Don't create waste" has been our mantra since 1948.
Our original sustainability lens of utilizing lean manufacturing principles is something we continue to use — and continually improve and expand upon today.
Pursuing better
Pursuing better is how a sustainable manufacturing company should operate. Sustainability is not an achievement; it is a design philosophy. If we think we've arrived, we are not pursuing better.
We support the mindful MATERIALS mission to reduce the embodied impacts of the built environment through collective material choices.
Taking Responsibility For Our Impact
We have adopted the Common Materials Framework as a tool to assess our impact. The industry-aligned framework keeps us focused on the areas we influence the most.
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Human Health
Minimizing the use of harmful substances.
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Climate Health
Reducing carbon emissions.
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Ecosystem Health
Stewarding natural resources.
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Social Health & Equity
Caring for the people we are connected to.
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Circular Economy
Designing out waste.
Our Certifications
LEED Compliant
A product that helps a building achieve LEED certification. Products themselves cannot be "LEED certified", however, 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.).
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.
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: material health, material reutilization, renewable energy & carbon management, water stewardship, and social fairness.
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.
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.
SCAQMD Rule #1168 Allowable VOC Limits
CS utilizes adhesives, caulks, and 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.
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.
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) Emissions 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.
Partner For Better Projects
Need help identifying the best products to help your sustainable project succeed?
Contact Kendra Martz-Carr, our Senior Product & Sustainability Manager, LEED Green Associate, Cradle to Cradle Catalyst, and mindful MATERIALS Ambassador for assistance.
Join our team
If you're interested in solving challenges in an inspiring atmosphere by collaborating with customers and colleagues, CS is right for you.