Have you heard about the relationship between facilities management and sustainability? The first element refers to the building management activities that promote the building’s functionality. Managing facilities allows you to coordinate infrastructure and efficiently handle operational activities. The second element provides the ability to meet current demands without negatively impacting the future.
When combined, these actions aim to improve productivity and resource utilization. After all, the expected life cycle of a building is 50 years, and between 80% and 90% of greenhouse gas emissions occur during the building’s operation. This data was published by the website Mulheres de Facilities , which specifies: waste generation in a commercial building can reach 0.5 kg per day, or 130 kg per year.
Given this scenario, it’s important to consider best practices that allow for facilities management based on the effective use of natural resources. This is what we’ll show you in this post. Let’s dive in!
What is the relationship between facilities management and sustainability?
Companies have a major responsibility to the environment. This concern is even more evident when we consider that drinking water waste in Brazil amounts to over R$10 billion annually, which represents 7,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools per day. The data is from 2016 and was published by G1 .
However, the negative impact goes further. Pollution was responsible for more than 3 million deaths worldwide from cardiovascular disease in the same year, according to the newspaper O Dia . Therefore, creating adequate facilities management is essential.
The idea is to care for the facilities and the well-being of the people who work there. To achieve this level, management is required to make the most of natural resources. It’s important to know how to use and reuse them to avoid future impacts.
Therefore, it’s recommended to centralize operational support services, such as electrical, technical, civil, and plumbing maintenance, landscaping, cleaning, security , etc. This approach allows the company to reduce its consumption of natural resources, reuse materials, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What does the legislation say and how can you make your company more sustainable?
Facilities management professionals are responsible for directing actions toward sustainability-oriented improvements. These include:
- reduction in water and electricity consumption;
- reuse of materials and water;
- environmentally friendly disposal of lamps;
- selective waste collection;
- replacement of fluorescent lamps with LED;
- receiving energy from clean sources;
- adoption of water-saving devices, such as pressure regulating valves, timers and flow restrictors.
Despite these recommendations, Brazil still lags behind other countries. This situation runs counter to environmental legislation. The two main ones are:
- Environmental Crimes Law (9,605/1998) : defines the punishment mechanisms for environmental offenses;
- National Solid Waste Policy Law (12,305/2010) : determines the principles of integrated and environmental management of solid waste, and stipulates shared responsibility between society, government and companies.
In this and other cases, legislation requires organizations to adopt preventive measures that prioritize the preservation of natural resources. The goal is to create a new corporate culture focused on sustainable growth.
How to apply sustainability in facilities management?
Sustainability is a priority for companies that want to sustain their business. After all, customers are increasingly seeking this approach in the businesses they do business with. So, we’ll show you how it can be applied to facilities management. Check out the 8 essential actions!
1. Creation of specific training
Training is essential to ensure that all employees work toward sustainability. Training aims to optimize the service provided and align goals and expectations. Leaders must also go through this process, as they serve as role models for the entire organization. Managers need to be convinced of the effectiveness of sustainable actions, their relevance, and their value.
2. Promoting transparency in procedures and processes
The company must demonstrate to the public that it is concerned about the environmental impact of its activities. This attitude improves the company’s reputation and encourages the development of empathy and trust among customers.
In Brazil, some companies focus on sociobiodiversity and sustainable entrepreneurship. They also purchase carbon credits, implement reforestation programs, and switch fuels to reduce pollutant emissions.
3. Verification of infrastructure improvements
The company’s physical installation environment may contain water leaks, dangerous or poorly maintained electrical systems, etc. Addressing these issues can lead to significant savings. Other simple measures that can help include:
- paint the walls white to reflect light properly;
- install presence sensors;
- maintain and replace old equipment.
The Palácio Austregésilo de Athayde building, owned by the Brazilian Academy of Letters, is a prime example of these applications. The building uses clean energy sources, generating savings of 20% to 30% and adding value to sustainability.
4. Reducing paper consumption using technology
The adoption of electronic documents is essential in the context of hyperconnectivity and sustainability. This measure also saves storage space, increases file security, and speeds up searches.
Several companies are adopting this resource and electronic management. Banks are good examples of success. By opting to use apps, they can improve their customer relationships and offer faster service, in addition to managing eco-efficiency.
5. Development of a waste management system
This issue goes beyond installing bins for the proper disposal of recyclable materials. It’s necessary to establish partnerships with local cooperatives that collect separated waste and create effective campaigns.
An example of how this concept can be applied is Promon, which carries out infrastructure projects. The organization created an indicator that measures socio-environmental impact, the Sustainometer. This ensures that 75% of its waste is recycled.
6. Generating motivation for everyone involved
Employees must remain motivated and engaged in sustainable practices. One way to achieve this is by providing constructive feedback that indicates how to improve processes.
Also remember to always praise when something is done correctly, as this way the results are continually improved.
7. Preference for sustainable suppliers
The company’s entire production chain must be considered. Therefore, suppliers must be involved in this context. Ideally, they should also implement sustainable practices. Therefore, before establishing a partnership, verify this aspect, analyze environmental certifications, and try to meet your needs with local producers or entrepreneurs.
Walmart has successfully implemented this process. Internally, it collected 6,600 tons of waste with the help of 96 cooperatives and reduced water consumption by 40% in its hypermarkets, according to Exame. Externally, it persuaded nine major suppliers to review their waste reduction processes and implement sustainable practices.
8. Monitoring market trends
Paying attention to new practices established in Brazil and around the world is a way to understand what else your company can do to become sustainable. Because this topic is in vogue, technologies are constantly emerging and can be applied to your business.
The result is compliance with current legislation. Furthermore, investments in innovation and improvements make processes more efficient and contribute to numerous opportunities.
What are the advantages of being concerned about sustainability in facilities management?
Business owners may be under the impression that sustainability is only important for the environment. But applying it to facilities management also generates many benefits for the institution. Read on to discover the main advantages of this practice!
Compliance with compliance
Companies’ legal responsibility to eliminate waste and comply with legislation impacts society as a whole and the environment. This activity also avoids fines and penalties.
Cost reduction
Unnecessary expenses are eliminated. This reduces negative impacts and additional outlays. Reusing materials and resources is also beneficial, as sustainability facilitates obtaining credit and exemption from certain taxes. Thus, facilities management further reduces costs.
Improving organizational reputation
Your company can attract customers, increase loyalty, and increase the likelihood of new contracts by opting for sustainable practices. This is because these actions are increasingly valued in the market.
How does outsourcing help in facilities management?
A business’s core business is the main concern for managers; after all, it’s responsible for generating profit, right? However, the workplace’s infrastructure must meet these needs for employees to develop their productivity. Thus, the question arises of how to balance these two worlds and focus on business strategy without compromising the well-being of the environment. The answer may be: outsourcing. Take a look!
Agility in interventions
When a space needs repair, it’s usually an urgent need. But finding a service provider that can perform that specific maintenance job with quality isn’t easy.
A good facilities management partner is the solution, as they can quickly dispatch a qualified professional. Consequently, the problem is resolved quickly, without headaches and stress.
Workforce qualification
We’ve already discussed how the building’s structure is crucial to a harmonious company routine. This is even more important when it comes to a safe building, because for work to be peaceful, the construction must be well-designed.
Therefore, maintenance involving the company’s engineering requires qualified professionals who understand what they’re doing. For those outside the field, it’s difficult to assess who is qualified to perform a project. Outsourcing allows for partnerships with construction and design companies that perform these delicate operations.
Acquisition of strategic information
Even with several outsourced activities, the facilities manager still needs to manage the service delivery. Monitoring performance, identifying potential improvements, and identifying problems takes time and effort.
Outsourcing facilities management provides strategic support to manage and boost this area within the company. For example, a management partner can provide performance reports and insights into potential savings.
How to optimize facilities management?
Some facilities areas can be easily optimized to help managers. With a few simple actions, the company can execute them faster, freeing up managers to focus on higher-return tasks. Learn how!
Look for a company with management support
Managing facilities is the most stressful part. While they bring benefits to the business, managing suppliers, contacts, and improvements is arduous. Many companies help managers with this by offering tools to manage facilities more conveniently.
Look for sustainability strategies
As we’ve already discussed, sustainability is a crucial part of the process , as it helps the environment and impacts the company by reducing costs. If a manager wants support for a facilities department, that should be the one. Some companies offer control over water, electricity, and waste disposal. This improves the company’s financial performance and image without consuming too much of the manager’s time.
Have a construction partner
Engineering works and services are the most expensive and complicated services to contract out. To optimize this task and drastically reduce manual facility management tasks, it’s worth hiring facilities managers to manage these services.
It’s worth noting that ISO 14001 is the primary parameter for managing environmental impacts. This guideline is also used for the relationship between facilities management and sustainability and encompasses all the aspects mentioned in this post. Invest in finding balance in your company and benefit from savings and a positive market image.
Looking for a facilities management partner to help you sustainably manage your infrastructure? Explore our solutions ; we can support you in this endeavor!
