According to new data, buildings account for roughly 60% of urban carbon emissions. However, innovative new materials and technologies have made it easier for commercial properties to be built and maintained in an ecologically conscious manner.
The next decade will be crucial for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts — the following ideas can help make commercial buildings more eco-friendly in the years to come.
1. Sustainable cleaning methods
Post-pandemic, office workers are returning to brick-and-mortar workplaces in waves. With more personnel on-site, business owners are emphasising office cleaning as a critical practice for employee well-being, motivation, and even mental health.
With energy bills soaring, businesses are also having to adjust to higher operating costs. This can mean overlooking the importance of eco-friendly cleaning products and opting for the most convenient (or lower-cost) varieties. From disposable wipes and microplastics, to single-use plastics and heavy-duty chemicals, many cleaning products can have disastrous effects on the planet.
Green cleaning
However, there are a number of ways to make green cleaning more affordable.
If a business is looking to outsource its cleaning, however, then they should consider relying on a sustainable cleaning company. Here at NuServe, our eco-friendly cleaning procedures are centred around the products that we use, choosing only enzyme and plant-based solutions that are certified by Ecologo and EU Ecolabel. These products don’t rely on harmful chemicals, making them kinder to both the environment and those that come into contact with them. For more information on the products that we use, take a look at our Positive Impact Report.
NuServe also uses carbon-clever cleaning technologies, using a machine which emulates natural processes to create a powerful cleaning detergent that is not only hypoallergenic but kills 99% of the bacteria and viruses it comes into contact with. Sustainable waste management methods
To contribute to a more sustainable future, enterprises of all kinds are expected to meet environmental goals and net zero targets. Yet over half of the waste generated in the UK each year is still disposed of in landfill sites, which contribute to toxins, leachate and greenhouse gases that all harm the environment.
Waste audits
To be more eco-friendly, commercial leaders should produce an accurate measurement of their company’s waste management, known as an audit. By reviewing its current methods of handling waste, a business can identify signs of superfluous waste within its building and what improvements can be made.
Regardless of how a company implements waste management solutions, the success of this is mostly dependent on the business itself, its employees, and their desire to take action. As a result, the importance of effective waste management must be taught to employees.
At NuServe, our waste management services cover everything from electronic and medical to food and confidential waste — all of which is disposed of responsibly and recycled where possible.
2. Upgraded lighting
Investing in light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is another method to make an office more environmentally friendly. A typical LED bulb is up to 80% more efficient than a standard incandescent bulb, as they usually convert 95% of their energy into light, with only 5% being wasted as heat. Compare this to fluorescent lights, for example, which convert around 95% of the energy they produce into heat and only 5% into light. Moreover, LED lighting can eliminate the need for regular light bulb replacements, preventing them from building up in landfills.
At NuServe, we can save businesses money by regulating their lighting — including the replacement of incandescent bulbs with LEDs and the installation of timers and PIR controllers to turn lights off when they are not in use —as part of our maintenance services.
All in all, we are proud to put the planet first. As the only B Corp accredited commercial cleaning company in the UK, we must demonstrate high social and environmental performance. As part of this, we hold ourselves responsible to support our community and partners through our environmental efforts, helping them to be as sustainable as possible.
Please feel free to contact us at your earliest convenience to learn more about how our services can help you help the planet.