How Can Green Initiatives Be Used Positively by Facilities Management

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With more focus on green initiatives for business, you may be wondering what kind of impact they can have when it comes to facilities management. Many organizations are looking for ways to become greener as they know this is something that resonates with a lot of people. Moreover, by doing all they can to reduce their carbon footprint, they will appeal to a wider audience. The folk at All Pro Cleaning Systems (Visit their website here)say that for facilities management companies this means implementing sustainable practices into the way they maintain and manage the interior and exterior of buildings, as well as the equipment companies use. Below are a few ways that facilities management can be positively affected by green initiatives:

Energy Efficiency

Becoming more energy efficient is one of the most significant ways a company can become greener and reduce its carbon emissions. Cutting back on energy consumption will also help the business to save money, which is another massive bonus. To become more energy efficient, there are several things that facilities managers can do, including:

Implementing energy-saving technologies: This might include installing things like programmable thermostats, energy-efficient light bulbs, and more efficient HVAC systems.
Encouraging employees to be more energy conscious: Companies can run training programs and educate staff on the importance of being more energy efficient. Facilities managers should promote energy-saving behaviors such as not leaving equipment on standby when not in use and getting into the habit of turning off lights when rooms are empty.
Conducting energy audits: Regular energy audits will help to highlight areas where energy consumption is a problem. Recommendations can also be given for helping to improve energy efficiency.

Sustainable Building Materials

Using sustainable building materials is another green initiative that can positively impact facilities management. Environmentally friendly materials will help facilities managers to reduce the environmental impact of a building as well as improve the health and well-being of staff and visitors. Below are some of the more common sustainable materials that can be used in construction:

Bamboo: Bamboo is a renewable resource that can be used in many ways including flooring and paneling.
Recycled materials: When it comes to building construction, the use of recycled materials helps to reduce waste going to landfills and conserves natural resources.
Low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) products: These materials produce fewer harmful chemicals, improving indoor air quality and promoting healthier work environments.

Water Conservation

Facility managers can do their bit for the environment by implementing water conservation initiatives. Reducing water usage, means savings on utility bills, conserving natural resources, and reducing the environmental impact of the building. Water can be conserved by:

Installing low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads: These fixtures use less water so have a significant impact on water conservation.
Installing a rainwater harvesting system: These systems collect rainwater and reuse it for things like irrigation, which then reduces the amount of water required for landscaping and other uses.
Conducting regular maintenance checks on plumbing systems: Leaks and other plumbing problems can cause significant water loss. By conducting regular maintenance checks, facilities managers can spot problems quickly thus reducing water waste.

Waste Reduction

Waste reduction is a green initiative that can also be used in facilities management. The following are some of the ways that facilities managers can reduce waste:

Start a recycling program: Encouraging employees to recycle waste and provide recycling stations to make it easier.
Reducing packaging waste: Buying products with recycled packaging or no packaging at all can help to reduce an organization’s waste.

To conclude, there are many ways that facilities management can use green initiatives to reduce the impact of a building and an organization from reducing waste to conserving water. The above is just a few of them.