Facilities Management and Sustainability: How to Make Your Building Greener

This blog will explore how Facilities Management can help businesses owners implement sustainable strategies to make their workspace greener. 

Energy Efficiency: bring down consumption, bring down costs 

Energy efficiency is one of the most impactful ways a business can reduce its buildings environmental impact. By identifying areas of excessive energy use, and implementing strategies to reduce this, Facilities Managers can reduce both the operating costs, and the carbon footprint of a building. 

Actionable tips: 

• Use smart meters to monitor consumption
• Switch to energy efficient LEDs
• Install energy management systems 

Real world example: Bloomberg's EU Headquarters features bespoke integrated ceiling panels which combine heating, cooling, lighting, and acoustic benefits all into one; this system includes 500,000 LED lights, and uses roughly 40% less energy than a typical fluorescent office lighting system. This building also utilises smart sensors to distribute airflow depending on how many occupants are within each zone of the building, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 300 metric tonnes each year. 

Water Conservation: less usage, less waste 

Managing water use is another essential part of increasing sustainability within your workplace. Your Facilities Manager should help you conserve this resource, and in turn lower your operating costs. 

Actionable tips: 

• Regularly inspect for and repair leaks to prevent waste
• Install water efficient taps, toilets, urinals, and showers
• Utilise rainwater harvesting 

Real world example: The Millennium Dome features a water collection system to catch the runoff from any rainfall, making use of its 90,000 m² surface area roof. 

Waste Management: reduce, reuse, recycle 

Effective waste management is crucial when it comes to reducing your carbon footprint. Your Facilities Manager should give you options to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and to promote recycling within your workplace. 

Actionable Tips: 

• Waste audits
• Use wase management companies that prioritise recycling and waste-to-energy strategies
• Ensure all recycling/ composting bins are well marked, maintained, and easy to access 

Real world example: buildings within Canary Wharf, including 20 Water Street, implement a zero waste to landfill policy, and can even track their waste through apps. This area also aims to be a fully ‘circular’ system, meaning that rather than making, using, and then throwing away products or materials (a linear system), they try to keep them in use for as long as possible. 

Green Cleaning: minimise waste and harmful chemicals 

Often overlooked, methods of green cleaning are another important area where your Facilities Manager can help you reduce your daily environmental footprint, whilst also improving the indoor air quality for occupants. 

Actionable tips: 

• Switch to eco-friendly or natural cleaning products, free from harsh chemicals
• Implement reusable technologies, such as dryers or roller-towels, rather than paper towels
• Reduce any unnecessary water use 

Real world example: The National Trust uses sustainable cleaning in its historic properties, for both the preservation of its delicate cultural sites, and to minimise its environmental impact. 

Sustainable Materials: choosing green construction and furniture 

During projects, refurbishments, or renovations, your Facilities Manager should provide sustainable options, helping you towards creating a greener space. From eco-friendly materials to recycled furniture options, a large impact can be had during these stages. 

Actionable tips: 

• Opt for materials with a lower environmental footprint, locally sourced if possible
• Consider purchasing furniture made from recycled or reclaimed materials
• Use low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes 

Real world example: during the renovation of 100 Liverpool Street, thousands of tonnes of carbon was saved by reusing portions of the old steel frame and concrete foundations; recycled waste aggregates were also used in place of concretes and cement; this, and other factors, helped the development achieve a net zero. 

Certifications and Standards: achieve a recognised sustainability status 

Achieving certifications not only validates your efforts, but can also improve the market value and reputation of your facility. 

Certifications to consider: 

• ISO 14001: an international standard which focuses on effective environmental management systems
• BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method): a performance-based assessment, reviewing and scoring on nine key sustainability categories (UK preference)
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): similar to BREEAM, however generally tailored to the US. 

Green Spaces: get some nature  

Incorporating green spaces can improve both the environmental footprint of a building, and the wellbeing of its occupants; not only can they reduce CO2, but they are also aesthetically pleasing, temperature regulating, and noise dampening. 

Actionable tips: 

• Internal green spaces, such as living walls, or green roofs
• External wild areas to increase biodiversity and promote wildlife
• Implement plants around office space 

Real world example: taking this idea to the extreme, ‘Roots in the Sky’ is currently under construction, and will include the UK’s first rooftop urban forest, spanning across 1.4 acres with extensive areas for the community. The estimated finish date for the project is 2027. 

Employee and Occupant Engagement: build a sustainable culture  

Finally, the optimisation of your business's carbon footprint requires a collaboration between yourself, your Facilities Management team, and your employees. Your Facilites Manager should help you implement and promote sustainable practices and attitudes throughout your workspace. 

Actionable tips:

• Implement sustainability talks to educate your occupants
• Incentivise green behaviour using reward systems 
• Encourage initiatives such as car-sharing, cycling, or the use of public transportation 

Real world example: many companies issue sustainability training courses for their employees to complete, to ensure that they are educated in the practices that you wish to promote within your workplace. 

If you need help making your facility more environmentally friendly, SEFM are proud to offer facilities management services across the UK; if you need any help with your facility, fill out our form by clicking here and a member of our team will be happy to assist you!