Here's how you can overcome the challenges of adapting to sustainable practices as a facility manager.

Assessing the facility's needs is the first step in implementing sustainable practices . Even though modern sustainability measures are being considered while designing new structures, outdated facilities cannot be expected to perform similarly. To find the areas that need to be improved and where sustainable practices can be applied, these outdated facilities must be carefully inspected. Arrange for a sustainability specialist to perform an audit, which will examine and offer insights into areas of waste recycling and reuse, as well as energy and water consumption.

The first step in Sustainability Improvements is to assess and enhance current materials usage to maximize positive use and minimize waste. Packaging, dunnage and obsolete inventory are a major drain for any operation. Having a an active and robust inventory system to make sure all the products purchased get utilized and not thrown away is a critical first step in Sustainable Improvement. Developing good KPIs to track and monitor those items allows you to understand and adapt practices to minimize waste and maximize usage.

Sustainable buildings are not just designed and constructed, but also operated in sustainable ways. This may be the largest contribution facility managers bring to sustainability— the sustainable operation of existing buildings, whether sustainably designed or not. Green products are more readily available and continue to grow in number and quality as more users demand them. Their prices are falling, as more products create competitive pricing in the marketplace. Growth of green office initiatives and sustainability will continue to impact the practice of facility management. This is not a trend but a major societal shift.

La labor principal de un Facility Manager antes era gestionar servicios como limpieza, mantenimiento y listo, ahora con las nuevas tendencias se van asumiendo nuevas funciones como el de la sostenibilidad, eficiencia energética, medioambiente y etc, y es que ahora las funciones y responsabilidades han cambiado en base a la demanda de las organizaciones que para tener una mejor visibilidad hacia el mundo , ya que necesitan mostrar más compromiso en todo sentido principalmente en los mencionados anteriormente. Esto se materializa mediante la certificaciones diversas que existen en el mercado siendo una de estas la de sostenibilidad donde su principal foco radica en la no contaminaciòn de nuestro medio ambiente el cual esta muy afectado.

This process considers three areas—the environment, society, and the economy. After finding out how your facilities affect all three, you can develop sustainable FM practices that have a positive influence. These practices can include: reducing electricity and water usage, implementing waste management best practices, and adopting green cleaning. These procedures will keep your buildings and facilities comfortable, safe, and properly functioning.

Your facilities management team has the power to make a significant impact on your sustainability efforts. There are 5 ways you and your staff can make an impact. 1) Adapt green cleaning 2) Perform a sustainability analysis 3) Conduct preventive maintenance 4) Use sustainable materials and resources 5) Update assets in the facility

I had a assignment at CHASE, contracted for a year working off a “Punch List”, another assignment with Emerald Fund, with Zebra Construction. Both buildings where located in San Francisco, ca . The Chase building had 52 floors and a Restaurant styled Kitchen, and a after hours bar and grill. 3 elevator banks. Depending on your pay scale determined where you worked in the building, and how much access. Generally, contracted maintenance gets a “All Access Pass”. Things mentioned about having all the equipment necessary to get the job done, and having trained staff and personal is critical. Interaction with floor managers and being able to quickly respond to request from tenants through work order submission is generally how things worked.

Sustainable practices require commitment and dedication by all. Create awareness among the stakeholders (the tenants). Highlight the achievements and milestones covered. Discuss methods for compliance towards government policies and regulations. Celebrate every success by rewarding and recognizing individuals for their participation to achieve the results.