How can you promote sustainable building materials in FM?

2 Choose certified materials

The second step is to choose building materials that have been certified by reputable organizations or standards. Certification can provide assurance that the materials meet certain criteria for sustainability, such as energy efficiency, water conservation, recycled content, low toxicity, or biodegradability. Some examples of certification schemes are LEED, BREEAM, Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle, and FSC. By choosing certified materials, you can also gain recognition and incentives for your FM projects.

3 Optimize material use

The third step is to optimize the use of building materials in your FM operations. This means reducing the amount of materials you need, reusing or repurposing existing materials, and recycling or composting waste materials. You can also implement strategies such as modular design, prefabrication, deconstruction, or circular economy to extend the life span and value of building materials. Optimizing material use can help you save money, resources, and space, as well as enhance the aesthetics and functionality of your facilities.

4 Educate and engage

The fourth step is to educate and engage your staff, customers, and suppliers about the importance and benefits of sustainable building materials. You can provide training, workshops, newsletters, or social media posts to raise awareness and share best practices. You can also create feedback channels, reward systems, or participatory processes to encourage and empower your stakeholders to adopt sustainable building materials. Educating and engaging can help you build trust, loyalty, and collaboration, as well as foster a culture of sustainability in your FM organization.

5 Monitor and improve

The fifth step is to monitor and improve the performance and impact of your sustainable building materials. You can use indicators, metrics, or dashboards to measure and track the environmental, social, and economic outcomes of your material choices. You can also conduct audits, surveys, or reviews to evaluate and verify the quality and compliance of your building materials. Monitoring and improving can help you identify and address gaps, risks, or opportunities, as well as demonstrate and report your achievements and value in FM.

6 Stay updated and innovative

The sixth and final step is to stay updated and innovative in the field of sustainable building materials. You can follow the latest trends, research, or innovations in the market and industry. You can also network with peers, experts, or associations to exchange knowledge and experience. You can also explore new or alternative materials, such as bio-based, smart, or adaptive materials, that can offer more sustainability benefits or solutions. Staying updated and innovative can help you enhance your skills, reputation, and competitiveness in FM.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?