Choosing sustainable materials to build with and cutting back energy consumption only goes so far when creating a sustainable building.  There are several other aspects to be considered when taking on a project as large as a stadium and labeling it a green facility. In order to achieve full sustainability as a goal, the engineers and designers had to make many careful design and construction choices based on site location. 

Site Sustainability

One of the most challenging aspects of constructing a sustainable stadium are that it is constructed over such a large site with and must be able to handle mass amounts of spectators coming and going at once.  First off, the surrounding environment includes wetlands that are home to native wildlife.  To account for this the sustainable design does not impact any wildlife during or after construction.  More specifically, the site does not involve excavation of any undeveloped land or green fields.  Another challenge is developing the site and finishing it to optimize storm water management.  Toxic run-off from the facility is considered the stadium’s greatest threat to surrounding wetlands.  To reduce storm water flow the grounds outside the stadium are finished with 4.5 acres of decomposed granite stone as an alternative to impervious pavement.  The decomposed granite also reduces watering needs by 2 million gallons a year. 

Rather than parking all of the cars over a large impervious surface area the facility utilizes a parking garage which allows more parking over a given surface area.  Also to encourage spectators to use public transportation a rail system has been added to drop fans off 100 yards from the complex. 

Construction Sustainability

Sustainable aspects of the construction process include using onsite construction equipment with lower fuel emissions and cleaner fuels.  This is achieved using low sulfur diesel fuel and diesel particulate filters.  Another aspect is the construction recycling program.  This program evaluates waste product and reuses it onsite.  Through the program 82% of waste has been recycled, 200 tons of asphalt millings and 1800 tons of concrete have been reused onsite.  The project minimizes contribution to landfills by filling the hole created by demolition of the old stadium with recycled and salvaged materials from the demolition work.  In a sense it will create a historic landfill site.  Also, 100% of the workforce is local, with 83% of the contractors located in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania.