December 6, 2002—A survey conducted by the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) shows 95% of facilities professionals envision sustainability will become an important issue for their profession, and most are already taking proactive steps to ensure a greener workplace.
Eighty-eight percent of respondents said they are already recycling solid waste, 49% are re-using materials, 36% said they are reducing the production of solid waste, and 12% are recycling water.
Seventy-eight percent said that they use natural daylight in the facilities they manage, and 67% said they have lighting fixture retrofits in place. Another 67% said they are purchasing recycled office products. More than half have instituted an employee education program.
Some of the top reasons cited for greening facilities were improved employee health and productivity (76%), cost savings (72%), and environmental responsibility (65%).
The survey, sent to 3,400 FM practitioners in the United States and Canada in September, garnered an 11% response rate. The primary objectives of the study, conducted with support from DuPont Commercial Flooring, were:
- To assess facilities managers’ knowledge of sustainability issues;
- To ascertain to what degree green practices have been implemented;
- To measure familiarity with sustainability terms;
- To determine the importance of factors in selecting sustainable carpet; and
- To learn which carpet manufacturers FMs consider as having sustainable practices.
