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Green Damage Control Landfill Diversion Should be a Consideration in Property
November, 2008
By Matt Johnson
Implementing environmentally friendly property management practices is no longer simply a desirable trend, it has become expected and, in some cases, compulsory. Both commercial and residential tenants are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of green practices in promoting heath and productivity among their workers and families, and they are expecting their property managers to do the same.
Converging pressures in the real estate and property management market are reinforcing the importance of sound environmental practices as a part of maintaining a competitive advantage. The emergence of third-party approval systems such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for both new and existing buildings is fast becoming a dominant trend and requirement in attracting and maintaining a tenant base.
The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System, for example, addresses whole-building maintenance and operational practices including green cleaning programs, recycling, building operations policies and optimizing ongoing energy performance. In other cases, environmental standards for buildings are becoming mandatory. In April 2008, the federal government announced that it is taking action to reduce emissions from chemicals that contribute to smog in consumer and commercial products such as paints, varnishes, adhesives and repair cleaners. These new regulations are forcing property managers to look at their current practices and products and make green changes to their management repertoire.
Yet, green building management doesn't end with predictable day-to-day activities. When a property has been unexpectedly damaged by flood, fire, break-and-enter or other perils, this opens up the possibility of a whole new range of environmental side effects.
It has become evident in recent years that companies - especially insurers - are facing higher indemnity bills and more stringent client expectations about the way that damaged building contents are handled. Progressive property restoration companies have begun to embrace greener products and services that can not only reduce negative environmental impacts, but also help reduce the overall costs to business and customers.
Restoration of damaged property no longer needs to translate into a damaged environment. Greener options can reduce landfill content and the dispersion of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This includes practices and products property managers might want to specify when serious property damage occurs.
CONTENT RESTORATION & CLEANING METHODOLOGY
Leading property restoration companies are increasingly offering cost-effective solutions that are able to reduce the amount of damaged building materials and contents that end up in landfills by as much as 80%. Highly engineered processes and specialized restoration techniques allow for the restoration of items that would have previously been discarded. These restoration technologies can also allow for restoration of damaged contents in one location, and sometimes on-site, which reduces the use of energy and resources needed to transport damaged items.
Forward-looking suppliers have begun to offer environmentally responsible cleaning products that reduce toxic side effects. Limiting the use of harsh chemicals in turn limits the property manager's liability, safeguards tenants' health and safety, and reduces negative impacts on the surrounding environment.
More and more suppliers are seeking to revolutionize their product lines with environmentally sound offerings. Certifications to watch for include Green Seal and EcoLogo. Rochester Midland has recently launched a Professional Restoration Series (PRS), which offers any restoration contactor the ability to provide a reliable alternative to harsh chemicals. Additionally, a high percentage of restoration projects require paint, and an increasing number of paint manufacturers are coming out with greener and non-toxic options that greatly reduce or entirely eliminate the number of harmful particles that are dispersed into the air.
In the event of flood and water damage, advancements in drying technologies can offer significant savings by reducing the amount of reconstruction work required. In many cases buildings can be dried with all contents in place and without the need for carpet or drywall removal.
There are many manufacturers offering a variety of technologies to introduce heat-drying techniques to damaged buildings. When in need of this service, look for contractors using suppliers that are GreenSpec listed. GreenSpec researches and lists environmentally preferable products for many industries.
Matt Johnson is the CEO of Disaster Kleenup Canada Ltd., a nation-wide network of leading property damage restoration contractors servicing insurance companies and corporations since 1994. For more information visit www.dkc.ca
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