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GREENING FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

Published: Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Education WellnessProperty Community AffairsCurrent AffairsOffice Equipment Waste ManagementWater Management

According to a scientific paper entitled “Building and Environment”, the practice of sustainable facilities management (FM) is rapidly evolving with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable development. “Survey results show that time constraints, lack of knowledge and lack of senior management commitment are the main barriers for the implementation of consistent and comprehensive sustainable FM policy and practice.” 

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    Issued by Perfect Word Consulting (Pty) Ltd

    According to a scientific paper entitled “Building and Environment”, the practice of sustainable facilities management (FM) is rapidly evolving with the increasing interest in the discourse of sustainable development. “Survey results show that time constraints, lack of knowledge and lack of senior management commitment are the main barriers for the implementation of consistent and comprehensive sustainable FM policy and practice.”

    Buildings are given a Green Star rating by the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) but, once occupied, these buildings often become anything but eco-conscious. This is where FM comes in, and responsible corporates must ensure that their decision power is used to further sustainability. This requires a holistic approach, ensuring that the entire building is run, cleaned and maintained in an environmentally friendly way.

    This approach has three added benefits. The increased health and safety of the workforce occupying the building decreases absenteeism and increases productivity. This productivity ensures a positive effect on the bottom line, bolstered by cost savings realised (for example) using enzymatic cleaning products that continue working long after application, without saturating the air with chemical fumes and volatile organic compounds.

    The Middle East Consultancy Agency (MECA) is passionately driving this movement towards green facilities management, with the aim of promoting excellence in the cleaning and facility management industry. MECA confirms that this benefits the cleaning professionals, economy, community, and the organisations. “We exercise regulatory functions, setting standards in relation to cleaning activities, and securing compliance.”

    As the professional body for the cleaning and facility management industry in the Middle East, North (and South) Africa, and South and Central Asia, MECA works closely with environmentally friendly bodies and cleaning service providers to deliver improved efficiencies and establish innovative, affordable solutions that reduce inefficient resource use.

    Local green cleaning product manufacturer and GBCSA member, Green Worx Cleaning Solutions, was recently awarded Fellow Membership to MECA, making it the only bio-technology company in South Africa to be considered a member and preferred consultant. “This is part and parcel of our strategy to educate Africa, the Middle East and the rest of the globe in green practices, the maintenance of truly green buildings (and homes) and training the masses in the critical importance of sustainable practises,” says John J Coetzee, CEO at Green Worx.

    For the last decade, Coetzee has worked hard to educate the market about the need for greener living, cleaner results and smarter practices. “We do this because we know that the planet is finite, and its resources are limited,” he concludes. “In legal terms, there’s a saying that ‘ignorance of the law is no excuse’ – the time has come where ignorance of our effect on the planet could be our own downfall. This is why the time to be an #ecowarrior is now.”

     

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    Green Worx Cleaning Solutions is ISO 14001, Global GreenTag, SABS and Green Building Council of South Africa (GBSCA) certified and supplies innovative, environmentally responsible, biotechnology products based on the use of natural microbes and enzymes. In such, Green Worx supplies green cleaning and sanitation consulting and solutions, pollution control and environmental remediation products to industrial and commercial entities, as well as to consumers. Green Worx prides itself on its associations with global leaders providing innovative, effective and high-quality products and solutions to meet specific customer needs.

    In 2017, Green Worx won the MEA South Africa Award as the Most Sustainable Cleaning Product Manufacturer 2017. In 2016 Green Worx was presented with the Award for runner up in the Green Technology Innovation category of the Mail & Guardian (M&G) Greening the Future Awards. In the same year, the company won the 2016 South African Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation.

    Contact Green Worx on 011 708 6626, at info@green-worxcs.co.za or visit

    www.green-worxcs.co.za.