Category: Green Building

skyscrapers

The Critical Need to Develop and Promote Healthy Buildings

One of the most difficult facets of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a fear of interacting with our loved ones, acquaintances, colleagues, or even total strangers while indoors. Ensuring that the spaces where we work and live are healthy and safe for continued occupancy is critical to overcoming the pandemic, and should be seen as […]

office building

Survey: Personal Health, Sustainability Top Priorities for Employees Returning to the Office

Returning to the office is causing a growing rift between workers and managers, according to a new report from NEXT Energy Technologies Inc. The report shows most employees (74%) are willing to leave their jobs if existential issues like health and sustainability are not adequately addressed in the workplace. NEXT says it surveyed more than 450 […]

industrial facility manager

Five Post-COVID Themes Among U.S. Facility Managers

Seventy-five percent of U.S. facility managers say COVID-19 has caused them to permanently rethink how their facility operates, according to survey findings released by Honeywell. The report also says nearly 6 in 10 respondents are more likely to invest in indoor air quality optimization and other healthy building solutions, while 7 in 10 are now […]

energy efficiency

EPA Ranks Top U.S. Cities with Most ENERGY STAR-Certified Buildings

As companies, organizations, and governments increasingly embrace going green, facility managers have been tasked with finding ways to make their operations more energy efficient. To help highlight the progress of energy-efficient buildings across the country, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its annual “Top Cities” list. The new 2021 ranking names the cities […]

semi circular glass building with a little bit of tree inside

Managing Air Quality in Your Building During Maintenance and Renovation

Employees and occupants can spend hours at a time inside your facility, so the quality of the indoor air is an important factor in their health and performance on the job. Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can lower worker productivity, increase missed days of work, and lead to adverse health effects. Building occupants can experience […]

Photo of a facility restroom; bathroom

When Bathrooms Operate Inefficiently, It’s Money Down the Drain

As a facilities manager, are you looking for ways to lower your monthly water bill? Bathrooms use 30%–40% of the water in a typical commercial building, so they’re the first place you should look for inefficiencies. Other building uses that consume the most water are cooling and heating, landscaping, and kitchen and laundry facilities. It […]

How Climate Change Is Affecting Construction Jobs

The cost of the effects of climate change is steadily increasing, putting a strain on the buildings and infrastructure around us. Sustainability efforts are being enacted every day to help these effects, with one added bonus: They are generating job growth and positively affecting the economy while helping to battle the effects of climate change.

Gulls flying over landfill

Get Your Facility Certified for its Waste Diversion Efforts

When it comes to sustainability, we have all heard the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. Though, there are many practices that you can implement at your facility to achieve additional waste diversion, starting with a physical waste audit. Understanding your waste generation is a first critical step in achieving 100 percent waste diversion, also […]

A green 'living' roof on a public library

Why Your Next Upgrade Should Be a Green Roof

Green roof, living roof, or vegetated roof—whatever you call it, this feature is quickly becoming recognized as a critical component of a green building. If your building doesn’t currently have a green roof, don’t worry—a green roof can be installed on many existing buildings.

Old, poorly lit office space

Top 5 Things Making You Sick in the Workplace

While many workplaces have a come a long way in happier, healthier, more human designs, WELL is a newer performance-based system gaining popularity for taking the guesswork out of healthier spaces and uncovering common design pitfalls that may be disrupting sleep, slashing productivity, stunting cognitive functioning, and leaving employees isolated. While WELL provides a robust […]