Published: March 13, 2025  Updated: March 13, 2025

The Role of Facility Management in Sustainability: Best Practices

Companies strive to reduce expenses. A huge percentage of those expenses include energy consumption. Businesses need sustainable energy resources for water, electricity, or natural gas.

However, as many companies shift away from oil consumption to "greener" pastures, how does one:

• Understand sustainability's importance?
• Know the areas in which to adapt new strategies?
• Affect positive change?

What Is Facility Management Sustainability

Here we look at a company's operational strategy and how that affects the environment, society, and the economy. Environment – We've heard stories of a huge factory dumping waste into the sewers, ponds, streams, etc. We've seen the effects of chemical spillage on wildlife and the land. You've read articles regarding the risks of storing nuclear waste.

Companies must take into account that energy consumption affects the land and the air around them. They must implement strategies to reduce the harm.

Society – Remember the news stories about water supplies affected by chemical spillage. The world needs water. If business practices harm the supply, then people suffer.

Companies must consider practices that have safety for everyone as the top priority. Safety not only for employees but the population around them.

Economy – People tend to shy away from purchasing from companies that don't practice sustainability. Today, more and more people realize the need for better company policies. They'll adjust their buying habits to side with more aware and concerned businesses.

How Facility Management Supports Sustainability Goals

What happens when a business develops and practices a program with positive facilities management sustainability? Who benefits? What's the importance of all the effort? Review the three points from above. You see the obvious benefits right away.

Environment – According to Statista, the world has around 1.5 trillion barrels of oil in reserves. Estimates range that the supply can last around another fifty years at current consumption. However, this does not take into account untapped oil.

However, when companies practice better strategies and alternative energy usage, they reduce the need for oil. This article doesn't want to delve into the social or political side of the discussion, just pointing out some of the benefits of conserving energy.

Obviously, better strategies impact the environment. Less waste or at least better handling of waste.

Also, consider the working environment. Employee morale increases when they see productivity shift toward better policies.

Costs – "Greener" practices mean "greener" gains. I mentioned expenses at the beginning. With better management, you will see a reduction.

Reputation – I mentioned that buyers gravitate away from wasteful companies. By improving operations, the company improves its standing in the community.

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Overcoming Challenges in Sustainable Facility Management

Teamwork - First, you need to plan. Develop a team or focus group dedicated to researching, discussing, and presenting to management proposed changes. Research the company's presence in the community.

Plan – Lay out a plan with proposed changes. Develop a time frame for achieving your goals.

Purchasing better products for internal use – Consider recycled products for toiletries, the kitchen/break rooms, and administrative needs (notepads, copy paper, etc.).

What natural products can the company purchase for cleaning supplies to reduce harsh, man-made chemicals?

Asset operations – Discuss with "production" personnel and maintenance the quality and performance of all assets. Do you see equipment running below par? Would an improved preventive maintenance schedule show some benefits?

When you purchase assets, do your vendors practice their own facility management sustainability?

Updates/upgrades – What internal changes can you make? You'll read later how costs make the list of the challenges to switching to more sustainable means. However, one solution has you taking small steps.

Change out lights to lower wattage or use a dimmer setting in areas where you don't need high visibility. Use sensor lighting to save constant energy usage.

Update roofing materials for energy conservation.

Consider switching to alternative energy means such as solar and wind. Technology constantly changes. This means the chance of feasibly using these methods increases each year.

Preventive maintenance – Do you work under a reactive mindset? This means you conduct maintenance only when assets fail or break down. Because of this, you risk:

• Production loss.
• Emergency purchases.
• Overtime.
• Worker safety.
• New asset purchases.

Develop a comprehensive PM plan that extends the life of your assets. Equipment that runs efficiently uses less energy. Review and monitor – As with all areas of business, you need to periodically evaluate the progress. Review and make improvements as needed.

Achieving Long-Term Success Through Facility Management Sustainability

Changes bring on obstacles, problems, and challenges. Part of your company's new "green team" goals should include anticipating and meeting these challenges. Questions will arise, and you must provide answers.

Why can't we stay with what always worked? With any new change, you'll see resistance from some quarters. The solution involves:

• Showing the benefits of the change. How will the new practice improve their job?
• Helping the employees feel included in the change. How can they assist so you receive their support?

Why is this so difficult to learn? New practices may mean new technologies to learn. Provide training sessions or meeting opportunities to learn how the "new thing" works.

Isn't this going to cost a lot of money? Changes for better sustainability may incur extra expenses. However, don't implement everything at once. Take it in stages.

What technology can help with any of this? While various technologies exist to change your company to a "greener" life, you can start simple. For your PMs, consider a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). CMMS software organizes your maintenance program and shows areas for improvement.

This system, if used properly, increases productivity and reduces costs. With scheduled maintenance, you have better oversight over your assets.

Facility Management Sustainability for a Better Future

Facility management sustainability means you put into place practices that will keep you on a successful business path. You stay in tune with the world around you. You have long-term goals to care for the people and the environment. Review the above tips and suggestions. Take time to study and learn and, ultimately, achieve.

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