A new concept of managing office waste is gaining momentum quickly.
At its root, the definition of a “circular workplace” is zero-waste space. The circular workspace includes three key concepts, according to Green Standards, a global decommissioning firm that introduced the circular workplace concept.
1. Design out waste.
2. Circulate furniture, fixtures, and equipment at their highest value.
3. Regenerate the natural and built environments.
According to the State of the Circular Workplace report, in 2023, 58 percent of companies in the Fortune100 included information on their circular practices in their annual sustainability report.
Facility managers have a huge role to play in the success of an organization’s circular workplace efforts. The report includes a long list of strategies facility managers can employ now to move their organizations toward a circular workplace. Some of these strategies include making an effort now to clear out storage spaces, especially of equipment that has been gathering dust since before the pandemic and being willing to spend a few more dollars upfront for higher quality items that will last longer and not have to be replaced so quickly.
The benefits of a circular workplace are many, but of course, the main one is cost savings. Additionally, says Green Standards, circular workplaces reduce greenhouse gas emissions because fewer resources are required. This can have benefits up and down and organization’s environmental goals.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
