Facilities managers hold vast environmental power. It’s time to use it
Commercial buildings account for 18% of U.S. primary energy use and, of that energy, 30% is wasted, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. And much of that waste is attributable to day-to-day building operations.
As a facilities manager, your scale of influence is larger than you think—if you choose to recognize and use your power.
The daily decisions you make impact energy, water, waste, and indoor air quality across thousands of square feet of space. Multiply that over a portfolio of buildings, and facilities managers wield a lot of power over the built environment.
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores your ability to extend equipment life, protect asset value, reduce operating costs, and satisfy building occupants all while having a measurable impact on the environment.
Sustainable Swaps to Make Right Now
As the manifesto from EarthDay.Org says, “progress is already operational, not aspirational.” Initiatives like solar programs and efficiency investments already exist and are working.
UG2’s experts routinely help our customers navigate their states’ specific regulations and opportunities. We also can point out simple sustainable swaps you can make on the spot that will make a difference to the people in your buildings and to your bottom line.
On example involves swapping out your products. You don’t need harsh chemicals to disinfect your building. At UG2, we use green cleaning solutions made without aggressive chemicals, such as phosphates, nonylphenols, and sulfuric acid.
These products are not only the gold standard in green cleaning, they’re also effective. It’s why ISSA, the worldwide cleaning industry association, has recognized us with the Cleaning Industry Management Standard (CIMS) Green Building (GB) Advanced by GBAC with Honors certification.
Learn more about green cleaning
Read more ways to increase sustainability
One Question to Ask Every Earth Day
While popular support for sustainability initiatives has ebbed and flowed over the decades, it’s remained a consistent part of how UG2 operates from the beginning.
That’s because sustainability isn’t a trend. It’s a smart strategy for reducing costs and environmental impacts.
Earth Day is the perfect time to evaluate your facility’s environmental footprint. Is it as small as it could be?
It’s worth adding a calendar reminder to ask, and answer, this question every year.
At UG2 we ask this question not because new mandates or regulations pop up. But because we believe the people inside every building—employees, tenants, students, patients—deserve to breathe clean air, open doors without fear of germs or chemicals, and get a drink of water without getting ill.
They deserve a healthy environment.
The power to deliver that healthy environment? It’s already in your hands. And it always has been.
If you want your building to operate with the full power of sustainability behind you, we’ve got ideas we’d love to share with you.
Schedule an energy audit, and our experts will pinpoint invisible issues—insulation problems, air exchange inefficiencies, underperforming equipment—that are putting an unnecessary strain on your energy expenses.
You’ll get recommendations specifically to your building’s usage and occupancy to ensure you get the biggest benefit for your budget.