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Current Conversations on MyFacilitiesNet:Stepping Up Their Water Conservation Game The search for water savings in institutional and commercial facilities nationwide continues, even in states mostly surrounded by water. And it continues in facilities that already have made strides in curtailing their facilities' use of water. Why? Evolution, mostly. Evolutions in products and technology, in facility applications, and in critical thinking among managers responsible for achieving their organizations' sustainability goals. Learn more from the case of a Florida company's recent water conservation efforts, after an initial effort several years earlier, that led to savings of 151 million gallons of water per year. Many Reasons to Consider Daylighting Facility managers interested in energy savings and occupant satisfaction should take a close look at options for daylighting. For one thing, the strategy can be cost effective, according to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. What's more, studies have shown that daylighting has benefits in a wide range of facilities, from schools to stores to hospitals. But making daylighting work takes careful planning and a long-term commitment. Click through for daylight harvesting best practices.
Can Dead Malls Be Reborn as Farms? Can a dead mall be repurposed into a community farm? I was watching a TED Talk on dead malls and was struck by the giant atriums in most malls and how maybe it would make a great space to grow plants year-round in climates such as Chicago. I've seen rooftop farms taking off. Of course, this requires a roof that can bear the load. But I've also started to see indoor aquaponic vertical farms taking off, growing things like lettuce and tomatoes with LED systems tuned for super growing. These have been mostly in old warehouse spaces, I suppose for the blank square footage potential. But what about your friendly local underutilized mall? This is pure curiosity. Would it work? The lights of course could be done with LEDs, and getting water shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Live loads on the individual floors? Humidity levels too high leading to IAQ issues? What do you think?
Don't Trash That Old Office Chair — Freecycle It! Once, when I was a facilities coordinator, I had to clear out half of a floor which had been vacated by a business unit several months before. The cubicles were still full of stuff. Files that needed to be destroyed. Random personal belongings. And what ended up being piles and piles of barely used and often brand-new office supplies. I knew the landfill was not where it should be going, but I didn't know what else to do. That was over ten years ago, and I still feel guilty over the waste. Over the years, I've become aware of a couple organizations that might have been able to direct me on how to keep those materials out of the landfill. Click through to find out about some of them, and, help educate me if you know of others.
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