For the Future

Facilities are much more than just real estate. They need to be constructed and maintained with sustainability in mind. This is necessary to mitigate their environmental impact to achieve global net-zero emissions. Implementing sustainability mandates codifies these environmentally sustainable practices, putting the pursuit of sustainability into the heart of everything the facility does.

FMs can have a sizable impact on climate change through the sustainability mandates they implement in their facilities. They must engage in a balancing act of considering best practices for running the facility efficiently while also minimizing the environmental impact caused by its operations.

Sustainability mandates are beneficial for businesses in the long term

Bloomberg reports that environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investments will account for over a third of the globe's total assets under management by 2025. Going forward, sustainable practices will be more cost-effective and beneficial for businesses in the long term.

Generally, consumers are changing how they engage with companies. They are rewarding companies that show a commitment to the betterment of the world, including when it comes to environmental sustainability. Millennial consumers may have pressured companies to consider sustainability more, but Generation Z is more interested in seeing results and positive impacts from sustainability mandates. Generation Z ages into a demographic that has a direct affect on the economy and where they choose to spend money, it is up to facility managers to show true commitment to sustainability.

Going paperless to go green

Transitioning to a paperless facility is a powerful step towards achieving environmental sustainability. From an environmental standpoint, paper is a highly wasteful material. Roughly 35 percent of trees cut down annually are used in the paper industry. Nine percent of those trees are from old growth forests, which include trees over a century old. Paper production is also a contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and water pollution through the release of toxic by-products.

Paper waste accounts for 40 percent of all waste produced in the United States. This translates to 71.6 million tons of paper waste per year. Moving just 1 million tons of paper fiber to fully recyclable paper would have the same environmental impact as taking 248,000 cars off the roads. Facilities going completely paperless would have an even greater impact on environmental sustainability.

Redundancy in paper

The average business document has 19 copies. Moreover, more than 81 billion sheets of paper are copied every month. Printing all these redundant copies is needlessly expensive for any business, including facilities. More than $5 billion is spent on printed materials annually, and a large portion of these materials end up becoming obsolete.

By going paperless, facilities are not only making an impactful choice towards environmental sustainability, but also cutting down on unnecessary costs towards printing. A digital solution over a paper one will save facilities both time and money, as well as increase efficiency by greatly reducing the time it takes to locate documents.

By removing paper from the equation, facilities can become industry leaders that avoid producing unnecessary waste that continues to be harmful for the environment.

Other methods for sustainable FM

Transitioning into a paperless facility is one of many ways that leaders can practice sustainable FM. Implementing any form of mandate for sustainable FM is a step towards achieving global net-zero emissions.

Sustainability mandates for a lower carbon footprint

There are several strategies that can be implemented to work towards lowering a facility's carbon footprint. FMs can set a designated standard and monitor the performance of their facilities and operations. They can find areas where electricity, fuel, and other operating costs can be reduced. Operating managers and building occupants can be expected to participate in practices that lower the facility's carbon footprint. FMs can also enact other policies that work towards a lower carbon footprint.

Setting goals and targets is an effective way to ensure that mandates are proving effective. FMs can track the performance of their enacted sustainability mandates over time to ensure that the expected targets are being met. If the targets are not being met, FMs can re-evaluate whether the set targets are realistic or whether further changes need to be made to meet them.

Preventive maintenance aids sustainability by keeping facilities running smoothly

Machines and equipment wear down and stop operating at peak performance over time. While this may not always seem like an urgent problem, especially if the equipment is still getting the job done, it can lead to bigger issues if left unchecked.

What began as a slight decrease in efficiency can lead to equipment requiring expensive and resource-intensive repairs or replacements. A less visible issue may lead to increased energy or resource consumption that adds up over time, to a degree far beyond what preventative maintenance would cost.

Preventative maintenance, including maintenance assisted by software that automates processes, can lead to saving a lot of energy and resources in the long term.

Embrace newer technologies to enhance energy efficiency

Old and outdated technologies typically were not designed with energy efficiency in mind. This means that older buildings may have outdated systems in place that use an unnecessary amount of energy or other resources. FMs should embrace newer technologies where possible to boost sustainability while also cutting back the extraneous costs the old technologies are draining.

If possible, solar and geothermal energy solutions may require a big budget at first, but pay for themselves over a period of time. Installing new insulation and green roofing can conserve heat and energy, and automated lighting can also save energy by making sure lights are only on in rooms that are in use.

Daylight detection lighting systems connected to automatic dimmers can be used to regulate the amount of energy being used for lighting throughout the day. LED light bulbs are also much more energy efficient than incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs, especially when paired with energy-efficient light fixtures.

Environmentally-friendly cleaning supplies are better for facilities & the people within

Many cleaning supplies found around the typical workplace contain harmful chemicals that have negative effects on the environment, and also on the people working or visiting there. These chemicals often find their way into natural water systems, causing harm to the plants and animals that make up natural fresh and saltwater ecosystems. These chemicals can even end up affecting the water that people drink.

In 2002, the United States Geological Survey found traces of detergent in 69 percent of US streams, and traces of disinfectants in 66 percent of those streams. These numbers have likely grown since then.

Chemicals found in cleaning supplies that cause environmental harm include triclosan, phosphates and volatile organic compounds. Triclosan is typically found in antibacterial cleaning supplies, and has been linked to cancer and hormone disruptions in humans. Phosphates are used in floor cleaners and other detergents. Volatile organic compounds include chemicals such as ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus. They can cause excess growth of algae and bacteria, which can lead to water sources becoming poisoned.

Using sustainability mandates to limit the amount of toxic chemicals used by facilities can improve sustainability and reduce a facility's negative impact on the environment.

Practice sustainable waste disposal methods

Recycling policies can be an effective form of sustainability mandate for facilities. Recycling should not be limited to just paper, plastics, and metal cans. Composting is an effective way to recycle lunch waste and other organic waste.

Some more complex items may be more difficult to recycle, but the effort to recycle them will be worth not releasing harmful by-products into the environment. For example, batteries and fluorescent lights contain hazardous materials and should not be thrown into the regular garbage receptacle. Chemicals and large pieces of equipment should be properly disposed of to ensure that they do not leave a negative impact on the environment.

Sustainable FM is achievable & necessary

To achieve global net-zero emissions by 2050, facilities must practice sustainable FM. FMs can have a sizable impact on climate change by implementing sustainability mandates that will ultimately benefit their facilities in the long term.

As awareness of climate change spreads and consumers place increasing expectations on businesses to continue to shift towards environmentally sustainable policies, implementing effective sustainability mandates will become increasingly cost-effective and necessary for facilities in the long-term.

There is only one Earth, and FMs are in a powerful position of responsibility to help ensure this planet will continue to thrive for generations to come.