FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
COMPLIANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING
Last year’s results showed that more than three-quarters (75 per cent) of facilities managers felt more concerned about the risk of non-compliance with regulations than in the previous year, and 2019 has seen that figure increase to over 86 per cent. A major area for concern was understanding which areas of government waste legislation applied to their organisation. Over 30 per cent of respondents felt they were not adequately equipped with the required knowledge regarding waste legislation and environmental compliance. Alarmingly, more than one in four said they were aware of, or knew somebody, who had been fined for non-compliance.
There is also an increase in FMs who are required to produce environmental reports – up nearly 10 per cent compared to 2018. Over half of those who completed the survey believe these reports are useful in setting future strategy.
Are you required to produce environmental reports?
|
2018 |
2019 |
||
|
Yes |
50.00% |
Yes |
54.67% |
|
No |
50.00% |
No |
45.33% |
Do you believe these reports are useful in helping to set future strategy?
|
2019 |
|
|
Yes |
52.40% |
SUSTAINABILITY RESPONSIBILITIES
Significantly, for a second year running facilities managers consider waste management and improved recycling to be their number one environmental and sustainability priority, ahead of energy consumption, carbon footprint management and handling hazardous materials.
Of your multiple environmental and sustainability responsibilities, which do you think are the most important?
|
2018 |
2019 |
|
|
1 |
Waste management and recycling |
Waste management and recycling |
|
2 |
Energy consumption |
Energy consumption |
|
3 |
Hazardous materials |
The working environment |
|
4 |
The working environment |
Carbon footprint management |
At the same time, however, over 56 per cent view the improvement of waste and recycling within their organisation as a challenge. This is a big swing from 2018, where nearly 74 per cent saw it as an opportunity and less than a quarter stated they viewed it as a challenge.
Is improving the management of waste and recycling within your organisation seen as a challenge, an opportunity or
a headache?
|
2018 |
2019 |
|||
|
1 |
An opportunity |
73.96% |
A challenge |
56.42% |
|
2 |
A challenge |
24.26% |
An opportunity |
39.60% |
|
3 |
Other |
1.78% |
A headache |
9.41% |
Why the shift in sentiment towards the subject of waste and recycling? “There is increasingly more pressure from employees to ensure companies are limiting their impact on the planet,” said Simone Fenton-Jarvis. She added: “Companies are providing more and more disposal options for a multitude of items – all of which takes managing, enough storage space and sufficient budgets.”
Lucy Hind commented: “I believe that the role of facilities managers is being stretched with less resource being made available, but more duties putting pressure on them, which is being reflected in areas such as waste.” She added: “Reducing resource support has been a key factor which could have influenced the swing, along with increasing pressure from businesses to recycle and improve our understanding on the topic. Limited support from some waste management contractors and the current lack of training and understanding could also be influencing factors.”
