Rob Almond is the CEO of NEST, the pioneer of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) in North America since 1994. Follow NEST on LinkedIn.
A rising social consciousness together with an accelerating climate crisis is prompting many businesses to rethink their operational strategies. A significant area of focus is facilities management (FM), where integrating sustainable practices can deliver substantial environmental benefits and cost savings.
To highlight the importance of FM, according to American business consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, approximately 40% of global carbon emissions come from buildings and the construction industry. I believe that FM can make a meaningful difference and help you adopt more sustainable practices in energy consumption, water management, waste management, pollution reduction, efficient space usage and indoor environmental health.
Here are ten ways that businesses can leverage FM to optimize sustainability across operations:
1. Start With Energy Efficiency And Conservation
Since energy consumption is one of the most significant impacts a facility has on the environment, I recommend that it be a key focus of your sustainable FM practices. More efficient energy use is not only beneficial to the planet, but it can also translate to meaningful cost savings over time.
Initiatives can include upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and lighting, installing automated systems that adjust heating and cooling based on occupancy or producing renewable energy onsite. Here are specific examples to take into account:
• Replace outdated HVAC units and boilers with newer, high-efficiency systems that consume less energy to provide heating, cooling and ventilation.
• Update windows to more energy-efficient models, such as those with double or triple glazing and low-emissivity coatings. This can help reduce heat transfer, minimize air leakage and decrease the need for artificial cooling or heating.
• Upgrade insulation so that less energy is required to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the building. Updated insulation also protects structural elements from excessive temperature variations and moisture damage.
• Explore renewable energy options such as solar or geothermal power sources.
• Optimize heat retention by installing new roofing and consider options including cool or green roofs.
• Install smart meters to monitor and effectively manage electricity, gas, water and other utilities.
2. Be Smart About Water Management
Water is a precious resource, and its sustainable management is a must. This can include installing low-flow fixtures, using greywater for landscaping or implementing rainwater harvesting systems. Regular checks for leaks and immediate repair can also prevent significant water wastage and unintentional spending.
I’ve found the additional resources and best practices included on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Management Plans and Best Practices at the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Water Savings Network to be helpful.
3. Hire The Right Service Providers
When repairing and maintaining facilities, consider hiring contractors with experience in energy-efficient assets who prioritize using environmentally friendly products and energy-efficient systems.
Conventional cleaning products often contain harmful ingredients that pose risks to customers, employees and contractors. By opting for eco-friendly cleaning products, you can minimize the release of toxic chemicals into the environment and reduce exposure for those in the area. Resources such as Green Seal and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency can help identify appropriate products and practices.
4. Consider Procurement
Sustainability in FM extends to procurement practices as well. Consider suppliers’ environmental policies and favor those who take a sustainable approach. This could mean reducing packaging in procurement, sourcing materials locally to reduce carbon emissions or choosing suppliers who operate under a circular economy model.
5. Focus On Waste Management And Recycling
Effective waste management and recycling are essential sustainability practices. This includes composting organic waste, recycling where possible and contracting with waste haulers who prioritize recycling over landfills.
Recycling, in particular, helps reduce emissions, preserve limited resources and safeguard against ocean pollution, among other benefits. However, prioritizing recycling requires careful planning, as specific regulations are associated with recycling particular materials such as batteries and fluorescent lights. In addition, many of these processes involve specialist assistance such as the safe disposal of refrigerants and large equipment recycling.
6. Practice Preventative Maintenance
I believe preventative maintenance (PM) is also essential to ensure the optimal performance of equipment. When assets are not functioning to their specifications—due to age or other issues—it can negatively affect sustainability efforts.
By regularly maintaining existing equipment, your business can better manage energy consumption and help extend your equipment’s useful life. This delays the need for replacement, which also helps sustainability and reduces costs within an FM program.
7. Implement Cutting-Edge Technology
There’s a range of newer technologies that can assist in optimizing sustainability in facilities management. With digital building technologies like IoT sensors, visitor management systems (VMS), occupancy sensors, AI applications and related cloud-supported analytics, facilities teams can better track and measure lighting, ventilation, air quality, maintenance and other energy systems against sustainability goals.
8. Elevate Employee Engagement
I find that engaging employees in the process is crucial to help ensure the success of sustainability efforts. Look to provide regular training on sustainability practices and be able to explain why they matter. Ensure that your staff understand recycling procedures, energy-saving measures and water conservation practices.
9. Implement Regular Audits
It’s important to understand that sustainability is an ongoing journey rather than a one-time project. Regular audits help boost visibility, identify patterns and facilitate better resource management. Setting measurable goals and tracking improvements can ensure greater sustainability throughout a company.
10. Consider An Integrated Approach
Establishing and maintaining sustainability-friendly procurement policies can often be more efficient and cost-effective when centralized under a single integrated facilities management (IFM) program. (Full disclosure: My company helps run an IFM.) Working with a provider that has its own service delivery network can help you get a more accurate reading of products, especially in janitorial settings.
Sustainable facilities management is now part of a strong foundation for organizations, delivering significant cost savings and environmental benefits. With a commitment to continuous improvement, your facility can lead the way to a more sustainable future.
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