Roskoski: Sustainable purchasing
looks at the materials you are using
in your facility. For example, costs
for copy paper with recycled content have come down to where it
doesn’t typically cost an exorbitant
amount to purchase this paper.
When you insert that throughout
the organization there will be items
that will cost more to meet sustainable criteria.
We find that large organizations
with procurement departments will
say they have a policy that strives to
purchase these materials. But as
soon as one product costs more than
the other, they won’t buy it. And
right now outside of paper, a lot of
the items do cost more.
THE FIVE MOST COMMON
SUSTAINABILITY MEASURES
GCX: Highlight a project where
you worked with an organization
to implement sustainable initiatives.
Roskoski: We have done a lot of
Here are a few no-cost or low-cost ways to move forward with
sustainability efforts for your
existing facility.
1. Energy
The most common initiatives
and the easiest method to show
a positive financial impact.
Examples include setting up
schedules within the building
control system to shut the air
handling units off when zones
are unoccupied. Also, use economizer mode on air handling
units during cooler weather to
avoid running the chiller plants.
Install motion sensors in restrooms so lights are always out
when the room is unoccupied.
You can also purchase Energy
Star equipment.
2. Water
This measure includes three
areas: domestic water, irrigation
and process water. Consider
changing the aerators in the
faucets in restrooms and
kitchens, which will decrease
the gallons used per minute
because the water flow is less.
In regard to irrigation, visit
with landscape vendors about
planting native plants to use
less water. Or review schedules
to ensure you are only using
water when you actually need it.
3. Sustainable Purchasing
The key is being able to track
purchases. Establishing a sustainable purchasing policy can
seem straightforward; however,
it can be difficult, particularly
within organizations that
lack purchasing departments.
Building occupants have to
understand why you are undertaking this process. Determine
