The Consol Energy Center planners made a point to incorporate green technology as much as… The Consol Energy Center planners made a point to incorporate green technology as much as possible in the building and operation of the arena and concert venue.

Construction

The construction crews prepped the site in as environmentally friendly a manner as possible, racking up LEED points before actual construction even started. As much as 50 percent of nonhazardous materials from prior construction was reused to save on emissions from vehicles both hauling away old and importing new materials. From paints and adhesives to indoor and outdoor lighting, green materials and systems were utilized as much as possible.

Outside

The landscaping design reduces water runoff and the construction incorporates innovative plumbing and mechanical systems for dealing with storm-water management. These allow the center to reduce its water consumption by up to 40 percent of what would be typical for a building its size — that’s the equivalent of 1.2 million gallons of potable drinking water every year — and helps prevent contaminants from entering natural water supplies.

Energy

A portion of the building is supported by alternative energy sources such as wind turbines and steam. The center purchases alternative energy credits — Renewable Energy Certificates, or RECs — to offset the energy it must use from nonrenewable sources. RECs are electricity produced by renewable means that can be purchased to counter-balance non-green technologies.

Transportation

The center uses several tactics to promote alternative transportation. Bike racks are provided for 5 percent of the building’s occupancy, and parking capacity is deliberately kept to less than 5 percent of the building’s capacity to encourage pedestrian and public transportation. Many of those limited parking spaces accommodate hybrid vehicles only.

Education

Plaques around the building explain the measures being taken to protect the environment, and an educational tour offered to school groups showcases the building’s many eco-friendly innovations.

Waste

The building utilizes a comprehensive recycling system for cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic, paper, cooking oil — 30 percent of which is recycled as biofuel — and even shipping pallets. Over 200 recycling bins inside and outside encourage fans to “go green,” in conjunction with integrated aluminum company Alcoa.

Food

The Consol Energy Center’s food donation program, in conjunction with food-service provider Aramark and anti-poverty think tank Rock and Wrap it Up!, donates food that isn’t used during the arena’s operations to local organizations. The center’s assistant general manager, Rob Goodman, said that over 20,000 pounds of food were donated this season. “We envision that as recycling as well, only better since [the food] goes to people that need it.”