In FMJ's regular monthly column, our team of FM experts answer your
questions about the world of facilities management
RICS/IFMA’S VIEW
PAUL BAGUST, GLOBAL PROPERTY
STANDARDS DIRECTOR, RICS
AND FELLOW IFMA UK DIRECTOR,
JO SUTHERLAND, ASSOCIATE
DIRECTOR OF MAGENTA
ASSOCIATES
Euromonitor International’s global
packaging trends report, 583.3
billion plastic drinking bottles will be
manufactured and sold during the
year 2021. If you had to place all those
bottles end to end, it would extend
halfway to the sun, claims Global
Vision International. If that wasn’t
scary enough, other charities have
suggested that by 2050 the plastic in
our oceans could weigh more than
all the fish. FM has a huge role to play in breaking
this cycle of plastic use and must take the lead in
ensuring that innovative solutions are created
to enable businesses to eliminate their reliance
and use of single-use plastic.
Since the carrier bag charge came in across
the UK, the Great British Beach Clean has
recorded 40 per cent fewer bags on beaches.
The introduction of ‘Plastic Pacts’ and ‘Plastic
Pledges’ from various charities like WRAP
(Waste and Resources Action Programme) are
encouraging businesses from across the UK to
tackle plastic waste. With organisations such as ASDA,
Coca Cola and Boots signing the pledge, we’re seeing an
increasing commitment to reducing single-use plastic.
Environmental sustainability is moving higher up the business
20 FEBRUARY 2019
agenda, as it rightly should. Now
it is time for the FM to follow suit.
We are calling on the industry to
further demonstrate the strategic
value it has for many years
claimed it provides. This may be
the opportunity for our profession
to showcase its role to business and
governments around the world.
We’re already seeing some positive
examples from within the sector. Churchill
Services has started working with ‘Surfers
Against Sewage’, a company that used to focus on
coastline water quality but is now more concerned about
the plastic contaminating our waters. The multi-service provider
is now taking part in community beach and riverway clean-ups.
Atalian Servest’s B&I catering division Angel Hill Food Co.
has committed to removing all single-use plastic disposables
from its operation across central government estate contracts. To
achieve this, the business is rolling out a three-phase approach,
spanning two years, with the first phase involving switching
plastic cutlery and takeaway containers to fully compostable
alternatives. Phases two and three involve the business replacing
bottled drinks with canned alternatives, changing the way it
serves condiments and looking at a scheme to reduce single-use
co ee cups.
OCS UK has also taken steps on a journey to reduce single-use
plastic waste. It has replaced plastic straws and sandwich bags
across UK catering functions with more sustainable options. In
collaboration with waste management supplier, Reconomy, the
FM provider has started an education programme to encourage
all those who interact with OCS to think twice about their own
plastic use. In addition, it has updated its procurement process
to prioritise working with suppliers who share the
business’ vision.
In-house FM and RE teams at other
organisations have undertaken plastic audits
to pinpoint cost e ective alternatives.
Sky, for instance, took a stand against
single-use plastic via its ‘ocean rescue’
campaign. This company alone has
reduced its plastic bottle usage by an
estimated 450,000 per year within the
UK.
It’s the little steps that truly make an
enormous di erence. IFMA UK and RICS
will be running an event in Q2 to help pave
the way. This event will feature environmental
experts outside of the built environment – a mix of
new voices so we can hear first-hand how our industry can
help play its part in protecting the planet.
FM CLINIC
According to Sky Ocean
Rescue, more plastic was
made in the first decade of
the 21st century than the
whole of the 20th. Eight
million tonnes of plastic are
thrown away each year and
washed out to sea, causing
untold damage to marine life and
entering the human food chain.
What e€ orts can the FM sector play
in helping to reduce the use of single-use
plastic across the built environment, including
retail and leisure parks, educational establishments,
healthcare and corporate o€ ices?
Paul Bagust
Jo Sutherland
ADVICE & OPINION
Since the carrier bag
charge came in across the
UK, the Great British Beach
Clean has recorded 40 per cent
fewer bags on beaches.”
– Paul Bagust