... is Green by Design

One of the first things the Torah commands of us is to be good stewards of the earth. That’s one of the reasons CBST’s space has been designed with the health of our environment and our own health in mind. As proof, CBST’s home has been designed to comply with LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Gold standards as set by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED certification means our sanctuary, offices, and meeting spaces follow stringent standards for energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, and use of sustainable materials. 

Materials:

• Ninety-five percent of the building’s demolition, construction, and packaging waste has been sorted and recycled.
• More than 20 percent of the material used in the new construction, including steel, drywall and carpeting, contains recycled content.
• More than 50 percent of the new wood, as well as the wood-based products and materials in the building, were sourced from responsibly managed forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Energy & Water Efficiency:

• The heating and cooling systems are designed for maximum energy efficiency and can be programmed to heat and cool only the spaces in use, rather than the entire building, in order to save energy.
• The building incorporates LED lighting to reduce energy use, unwanted heat from inefficient bulbs and frequent bulb replacements; occupancy sensors allow us to light only the spaces in use.
• Through the use of dual-flush toilets and water-sparing faucets and appliances, water usage in the new building is below the baseline specified by LEED. 
• Our water-bottle filling stations enable users to fill their water bottles quickly and easily, saving on the energy and waste involved in bottling and transporting water.
• CBST has entered into a contract with Hudson Energy that will provide CBST with 100% Green-e-Certified wind generated electricity! This type of energy meets the requirements for LEED certification.

Indoor Air Quality:

• The paints, coatings, and sealants used in the construction, as well as the furniture and carpeting, emit few toxins.
• Indoor air quality was tracked and managed during construction, and the building’s air was tested and flushed before occupancy.
• A higher percentage of indoor air is exchanged with outside air than in a standard ventilating system. A device called an energy recovery ventilator transfers heat between the incoming and outgoing air streams to ensure that the air turnover doesn’t waste energy. 
• As part of our green housekeeping plan, we use non-toxic cleaning products. 

What the Torah commands, the contemporary environmental crisis requires: that we all become good stewards of the earth. CBST hopes our green efforts here in the synagogue will inspire our members and visitors to take action on behalf of the world G-d created and deemed “very good.”