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Taking The Sustainable Stance

Whilst the 2050 deadline to meet the government’s ambitious net zero targets may feel lightyears away, facilities managers across the UK are adopting a proactive approach to the sustainability of their current and future operations to successfully become carbon neutral.

Here Steve Sargeant, Head of New Product Development at Kleen-Tex, discusses how Facilities Managers can improve the environmental efficiency of their building’s operations, without negatively impacting on performance or safety.

What Impact Has COVID-19 Had On The Sustainability Of Facilities Management?

According to latest research (Rubbermaid Changing Workplaces Report), 95% of facilities have been impacted by COVID-19, whilst 74% of organisations are concerned about the impact of the pandemic on their company’s sustainability credentials. This can be largely attributed to the significant increase in single use products over the last two years, which, as a result, has created additional waste for facilities teams to sufficiently manage.

In response to this, professionals are currently identifying how they can re-evaluate their approaches to cleaning routines and waste management to transition away from disposable products through the adoption of long term approaches to sanitisation and hygiene.

At the same time, Facilities Managers are identifying how they can improve the efficiency of their building’s operations by adopting an ecological approach to procurement throughout every stage of the supply chain. Here the installation of products that are manufactured from sustainable materials and proactively support the increased environmental efficiency of a facility is crucial to not only achieving net zero targets, but maintaining the same high standards of functionality and quality.

What Types Of Products Are Currently Available To Facilities Managers To Support These Aims?

From a floor matting perspective, we are continuing to see professionals transition from PVC products to high performance nylon ranges that offer exceptional dirt and moisture capture. This enables facilities managers to demonstrate the sustainability of their procurement, whilst simultaneously providing the highest possible standards of hygiene and safety to support cleaning routines.

This includes the Super-Mat heavy duty matting system, which is completely PVC free as it features a 100% nitrile rubber backing and is constructed from 100% Econyl fibres, a regenerated nylon textile composed of man-made ocean and landfill waste, including abandoned fish nets.

Featuring an increased pile height of 9mm and pile weight of 800 g/m2, in addition to improve dirt absorption of 950g/sqm, the mat will maintain the same high-quality appeal and performance throughout its five year manufacturers guarantee. By installing flooring matting systems such as this, facilities can significantly increase the use of recycled materials throughout their building, without negatively impacting the system’s overall performance and suitability.

How Can The Quality And Longevity Of Products Also Support The Environmental Efficiency Of Facilities’ Operations?

Throughout the research, 45% of organisations stated the requirement for durable solutions will become more important post pandemic. When this is combined with 85% of companies feeling the continued increase in footfall will be a challenge to manage, this means there is a requirement for resilient systems that can withstand higher usage even more crucial.

This has prompted professionals to source higher quality products that provide extended longevity and durability, to ensure a best practice approach is consistently maintained by banishing the principles of a throwaway society. By adopting a long term approach to performance and transitioning to floor matting systems that deliver high standards of quality for longer periods, facilities managers can adopt a consistent approach to procurement that minimises repeat purchasing.

For example, Kleen-Tex’s EcoAbsorb entrance matting system delivers 37% faster drying when compared to standard cotton mats during laundry cycles, saving valuable energy, time and money throughout laundry sequences. The five year manufacturer’s guarantee also provides professionals with the confidence that the matting system will deliver consistent standards of performance and quality to meet the highest frequencies of visitor footfall.

Featuring 50% recycled nylon yarn that requires 47% less energy consumption throughout the production process, when compared to standard yarn, the mat also produces 35% less CO₂ emissions throughout the manufacturing process, in addition to a 30% reduction in water.

What Other Areas Should Be Considered Throughout The Purchasing Stages?

In order to successfully achieve these increased levels of durability and longevity, professionals must also ensure they are adopting an application and specification approach to procurement by installing the correct matting systems in the appropriate locations.

For example, entrance matting can be perceived by many as being installed for purely aesthetic reasons. However, the careful specification of these types of systems can significantly reduce the level of dirt and moisture tracked in from outside to ensure high footfall areas, such as doorways, corridors and reception areas, are consistently clean. As a result, this can support a reduction in long-term cleaning routines, facilitating a decrease in the level of chemicals required.

Without an effective entrance mat, 42% of a floor’s finish across the first 1.8 metres of the entrance can be worn away by just 1,500 people walking across it. This demonstrates the importance, particularly for high trafficked areas, to install and maintain dedicated floor matting systems that adequately capture moisture, dust and debris to prevent it from entering a building.

For these types of applications, the Green-Horse floor matting system provides professionals with a fully serviceable product that delivers shorter drying times and higher heat resistance. The PVC free construction also includes a pile manufactured from recycled PET bottles that delivers great dirt capture properties to successfully trap dirt and moisture to capture it before it has the opportunity to be tracked throughout a building.

By installing a dedicated combination of different floor matting systems throughout key areas of a building, professionals can successfully optimise safety and flooring durability and longevity, whilst simultaneously reducing cleaning requirements. This not only enables professionals to maximise their commercial cleaning budgets, but adopt a proactive and sustainable approach to floor maintenance.

How Important Is Achieving An Open Dialogue Between Facilities Managers And Manufacturers With Regard To Sustainability?

As facilities managers continue to identify how they can successfully improve the sustainability of their operations, whilst successfully managing the steady increase in footfall throughout the building, it is vital that professionals and manufacturers work together to form a collaborative approach to specification.

This includes adopting a partnership approach to identify the most efficient solutions for each specific area of a building, whilst simultaneously examining how recycled materials can continue to be incorporated into future product development to meet facilities increasing requirements for sustainable solutions. Partnering with European manufacturers also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of the production and transportation processes, whilst ensuring the shortest possible leads times.

For further information on Kleen-Tex’s range of sustainable matting solutions,
please visit https://www.kleen-tex.co.uk/ or call 01204 705070.