1721_facility perspectives sept 11 v503 lowres

Volume 5 Number 3 September November 2011

Fire protection What it means for you and your facilityOfficial magazine of the Facility Management Association of AustraliaPrint Post Approved 340742 00155 $9.95 inc GST

When lighting One Shelley Street, it wasnt just about creating a nicer environment for the tenants.

Granted a coveted 6 Star Green Star certification, One Shelley Street, Sydney has set new standards in sustainable office design through a raft of innovative environmental initiatives that include an advanced lighting and energy management system from Philips Dynalite. A supremely flexible lighting solution thats easily reconfigurable should tenancy requirements change, the centralised control system is programmed for trading mode, where daylight harvesting sensors ensure lighting is dimmed when natural light is available, and after hours mode where a timed dimming sequence activates motion sensors that initiate lighting if movement is detected. With significant energy savings predicted, its not just the buildings tenants who will appreciate the benefits.

Find out how Philips Dynalite can power your creativity at www.philips.com/dynalite or call 1300 554 178.

contents

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Level 6, 313 La Trobe Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 8641 6666 Fax: (03) 9640 0374 Email: [email protected] Web: www.fma.com.au Published byABN 30 007 224 204

430 William Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Tel: (03) 9274 4200 Fax: (03) 9329 5295 Email: [email protected] Web: www.executivemedia.com.au Offices also in Adelaide, Brisbane & Sydney Edited by: Gemma Peckham Editorial enquiries: Tel: (03) 9274 4200 Email: [email protected] Advertising enquiries: Tel: (03) 9274 4200 Email: [email protected] Layouts Belinda Crawford Printed by Geon Impact Printing Editorial contributors: Robin Mellon, Misti Dullard, Kelly Green, Melbourne Water, Mary Dunne, Brian Purdey, NABERS, Ross Hodge, Mark Jarratt, Aidan Whittle, Elissa Fazio, Gary Smith, Romilly Madew, Derek Hendry, Jones Lang LaSalle, Bridget Gardner, Geoff Thorn, Nicholas OBrien, Tony Wood.

0404Chairmans message

06Green purchasing and procurementMonitoring your organisations environmental performance is not just about changing behaviours it also concerns the choice of product. Green purchasing can help reduce emissions substantially, and assist you to reach that environmental bottom line.

30Green buildingNABERS has announced a change to their performance ratings, increasing the highest achievable star rating from 5 to 6.

Chairman Steve Taylor presents the new strategic direction for FMA Australia, and anticipates local and global events that will help to further the progress of FMA Australia, and the industry as a whole.

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CEOs message

New Chief Executive Officer NIcholas Burt looks at the priorities of FMA Australia moving forward, and encourages members to become more involved with the organisation and the industry.

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Why buying green is good

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The simple things are often the most effective. Robin Mellon discusses how careful consideration of every purchase can affect our environment.

NABERS environmental ratings for buildings extended to 6 stars

COMpANy pROFiLESAustralasian Waste + Recycling Expo AIRAH SMAC Technologies InterfaceFLOR The Container Connection Seeley International Fire Rating Solutions FPA Australia Wormald High Performance Pty Ltd Sustainability Victoria Nuflow Technologies Well Done International FSI (FM Solutions) Cleaning Institute of Australia National Cleaning Services Australia Perpetual Property Care UNE Partnerships Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles

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Queen Victoria Market: an icon in sustainability

The NABERS ratings expansion into 6 star territory is big news. We explain the effects on the building industry, and examine examples of projects aiming for this credential.

The Queen Victoria Market has been awarded for its efforts to minimise its effect on the environment through green purchasing.

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Case Study: Legion House Case Study: 76 Berry Street

The editor, publisher, printer and their staff and agents are not responsible for the accuracy or correctness of the text of contributions contained in this publication or for the consequences of any use made of the products, and the information referred to in this publication. The editor, publisher, printer and their staff and agents expressly disclaim all liability of whatsoever nature for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions contained in this publication whether caused to a purchaser of this publication or otherwise. The views expressed in the articles and other material published herein do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor and publisher or their staff or agents. The responsibility for the accuracy of information is that of the individual contributors and neither the publisher or editors can accept responsibility for the accuracy of information which is supplied by others. It is impossible for the publisher and editors to ensure that the advertisements and other material herein comply with the Trade Practices Act 1974 (Cth). Readers should make their own inquiries in making any decisions, and where necessary, seek professional advice. 2011 Executive Media Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part, without written permission is strictly prohibited.

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A sustainable water future Why choosing green products for your building makes good business sense

coming up in the December edition of Facility Perspectives industry focus: Tertiary education facilitiesplus + indoor environment quality + risk management + FM guide to building technologies + Anti-ageing for buildings + Interior design + Spotlight on signageFacility PersPectives VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

Green purchasing authority ECO-Buy elaborates on how green products can affect both your environmental output, and your bottom line.

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Workspaces of the future myths and realities

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contents

35Guide to fireproofingComing into summer, fire is an important concern for any facility. Experts on fire protection give insight into the considerations that are imperative when protecting your building and its contents against fire.

48Spotlight on windowsMinimise the suns penetration of your building via windows, and you might find a substantial reduction in energy usage.

56Maintenance + essential servicesA look at the new disability access legislation and its effects on the industry. Also, as we approach the anniversary of the widespread flooding in Australia, we look at disaster recovery.

68CleaningWindows require specialised cleaning, and youd be well advised to ascertain which approach works best for you. We also look at how the City of Yarra is leading the way in green cleaning.

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passive fire protection what does it mean to you or your facility?

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Window performance energy and compliance

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The prevention of the rapid spread of fire in a facility is essential Ross Hodge discusses how to secure your facility, and how to ensure that it remains secure.

There is now a great diversity of window products available to your building, and with the correct understanding of their functions, you can make sizeable energy savings.

The maintenance minefield for building owners and facility managers

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partners in Grime

New disability standards herald new maintenance considerations for building owners and facility managers.

There are many different ways to maintain the faade of your building. Geoff Thorn of Australian Window Cleaning Federation gives insight into your options.

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The facilities dilemma: how to survive a fire How do i stop a fire at my facility?

EnergyHow the carbon tax might affect you and your building.

Queensland floods: disaster recovery procedures and best practices

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Multi-storey window cleaning options for facility managers

Elissa Fazio from the Society of Fire Safety gives advice on how to evaluate your property, and its fire safety requirements.Facility Perspectives embraces Green printing initiatives

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putting a price on pollution

Jones Lang LaSalle provides insight into what worked during the disaster recovery process following the summer floods in eastern Australia.

The City of Yarras Green Clean Program has achieved much more than its original aim.

Chief Executive of the GBCA, Romilly Madew, gives an overview of the price on pollution.

Security

Careers

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Social networking and the convergence of technologies: the pitfalls ahead

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Careers in asset and facilities management

When social media has become de rigeur for most organisations, its important that we address how this might jeopardise security.This publication has been printed using ECO-CLEAN print processes. Vegetable based inks and recyclable materials are used where possible.

The profile of facilities management as a career is growing, and with it the number of courses available for qualification within the industry.

Facility PersPectives VOLUME 5 NUMBER 3

company profile comPany ProFile

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A unique, dedicAted expoWhere leadership, innovation and markets come together to address waste, recycling & resource conservationhe Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo and Conference is a new and unique event. It is the ONLY expo and conference dedicated to the waste and recycling industry, hosting over 100 exhibitors, a full conference and several networking functions. It is where you will hear about innovations in the world of waste, recycling and resource efficiency. In its second year, the Expo is enjoying a growth rate of 100 per cent. Do not miss out on your opportunity to attend this dynamic event, for free. The Expo is FREE to attend. Register now online: www.awre.com.au

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Who will exhibit?Over 100 exhibits will be on display including large equipment and live demonstrations. Organisations working to minimise or manage waste and recyclables from the Municipal, Commercial and Industrial (C&I) and Construction and Demolition (C&D) sectors will be exhibiting. Providers of professional services: legal expertise, insurance and leasing products, software solutions, et cetera, in addition to non-profit organisations will be on site for you to discuss your needs with. Consultants will be available for free one-on-one meetings at the Consultants Hub, established within the Expo. Dedicated meeting areas and an internet lounge will be available for your use.

Is there a conference?The Expo will include a full conference. Four half-day sessions will offer you the flexibility to attend the sessions of most interest. Inspirational international and national experts will present on important issues facing the waste and recycling industry including: 3 Green buildings: Design, construction and operation; 3 The price on carbon and carbon farming initiative; 3 Product stewardship legislation and policy developments; 3 Waste to energy and tendering. Please note: A registration fee will apply to attend the conference.

What about networking?A number of free networking functions will be organised over the two days to ensure you have the opportunity to discuss business with clients or colleagues in a relaxed environment. An internet lounge and meeting areas will be established within the Expo.

Where is it?2011 will see the Expo move to the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre (SCEC) in Darling Harbour, Sydney. This award-winning facility is a short walk from the Sydney CBD and is surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars.I want to know more ... For more information on the Expo, please contact Sue Reid on: +61 2 6583 8118SOURCE SEPARATION SYSTEMS PTY LTD

AWRE Ad 85wx260h.indd 1

Facility PersPectives 22/7/11 V O L U M E 5 N U M B E R 3 5:28 PM

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From the chairman

ChaiRMaNs MEssagE

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ith our new Chief Executive Officer, Nicholas Burt, in place and strongly taking the reins, I recently had an opportunity to work with Nicholas and my fellow Directors on the strategic directions of FMA Australia. This was an essential opportunity to recalibrate the existing strategic plan, taking into account the significant changes that have occurred within the organisation, the facilities management industry, and more broadly the wider political context. The result was a clarified plan that represented the successful achievements during the past 12 months and a realigned strategy for 2011-2013, which will deliver even greater value for members. Later this year, Nicholas will be visiting each branch to provide a more detailed briefing of the strategic plan and what this means for the direction of FMA Australia. This will be a great opportunity for members to learn the future direction for the organisation first-hand, and an opportunity to provide feedback. One of our key goals is to work collaboratively with our strategic and global partners to further strengthen the strategic alliance for our association and as such I will be representing FMA Australia at the IFMA World Workplace conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in late October 2011. As one of the worlds premier facilities management conferences, this will provide an opportunity to reinforce the solid foundation of FMA Australias international partnerships and further develop opportunities for members. Our international partnerships provide us with a strong opportunity to learn from experiences of similar organisations dealing in the facilities management industry. Preparations are now in full swing for the Gala Award Dinner at the Melbourne Hyatt on 10 November. This event was an enormous success last year, and this year has the potential to build on that success. The awards include a range of categories, which have been selected to showcase the best that facilities management in Australia has to offer. A strong panel of quality judges is in place to ensure that each application is given due consideration and professional

moderation in the judging process. The nominations are now open (see www.fma.com.au) and I urge all members to consider the work that they have been involved in during the last year, and consider a submission. Finally, I would like to thank members for their ongoing participation in branch events, and particularly the six events that were held to recognise World FM Day. Led by a letter from Prime Minister Julia Gillard, recognising the value of facilities management, World FM Day was celebrated by more than 600 people in Australia and even more internationally. These successes would not be possible without the ongoing commitment of the state branch committees and their close work with the team at the National Office. As we move toward years end, the National Office will be working closely with these committees to program each of the statebased and national Annual General Meetings. I encourage you to show your support by attending your AGM, which is a valuable opportunity to gain an update on the successes of your branch and the wider association and support the development of our industry. Steve Taylor Chairman, FMA Australia


From the ceo

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CEOs MEssagE

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elcome to the first edition of Facility Perspectives since I have commenced in the role as Chief Executive Officer. Since I have come on board there have been many opportunities for the organisation to explore. Challenges presented by federal and state-based programs, such as Commercial Building Disclosure, the Clean Energy Future package and mandatory residential building disclosure continue to provide FMA Australia with numerous opportunities to not only keep members up to date, but represent the current role and potential value of facilities management. Priorities moving forward for FMA Australia, developed during a recent strategic planning day, are to build the profile of facilities management with government and other key stakeholders, to develop workforce capacity, including an education pathway, and to strengthen a coordinated research agenda. As the national voice of those who manage and operate Australias built environment, our capacity to respond to government activities is a clear imperative. As a peak body, our responses need to be relevant and as all encompassing as possible, representing the balance of industry sentiment on any given issue. FMA Australia strongly values member and stakeholder interaction and dialogue, as it seeks to ensure it is acting in the best interest of you the members. As you may be aware, the five newly formed portfolio groups (advocacy, knowledge, education and training, membership and events/sponsorship) have recently been launched. These portfolio groups demonstrate the value that the Board and I place on engaging with the widest possible number of members. These groups will ensure that members can become directly involved in formulating the direction that FMA Australia takes on a range of issues. We are currently seeking applications of the advocacy and membership groups, with subsequent group nominations opening shortly. More information is available at www.fma.com.au. I strongly encourage members to take the time to review the aims, objectives and

structure of each group, and then apply to participate. In the education area, there has been a marked increase in the number of sign-ups for subjects within the Diploma of Facilities Management. This program continues to build momentum within the industry, and is the only program that has a number of units that have been specifically designed to address areas of expertise required for high-quality facilities management. FMA Australia is working closely with the industry skills council to expand the opportunities for learning and career development pathways for facilities management professionals. I am hoping that this will lead to opportunities to seek further government recognition and support for the industry. Since beginning in my role, I have had a number of opportunities to initiate and strengthen important relationships and key partnerships. Of particular interest was an invitation I received to present to the Board of the Tertiary Education Facility Management Association (TEFMA). FMA Australia and TEFMA already have a strategic alliance, which allows the two organisations to work together on strategic projects that provide benefits to members of each association. A policy highlight in recent times has been the release of the Clean Energy Future package by the Gillard Government, which principally seeks to address climate change by placing a price on greenhouse gas emissions. As a national peak body, it is important that FMA Australia has a clear and well-developed position on such major public policy issues. I urge you all to visit the FMA Australia website to provide your feedback on the draft statement, which has been recently endorsed by the Board. Your feedback is important as the final industry position is determined. I look forward to seeing you at your branch AGM. Nicholas Burt Chief Executive Officer


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Green PurchasinG + Procurement

WHy BuyiNG GREEN iS GOOdBy ROBiN MELLON, gREEN staR ExECUtiVE DiRECtOR, gREEN BUiLDiNg COUNCiL Of aUstRaLia

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very purchase we make affects human health and the environment in some way. For facility managers, each procurement decision influences more than the efficiency of their buildings and their companys bottom line. Today, theres growing recognition that purchasing decisions affect the wellbeing and productivity of employees and, ultimately, global climate change as well. Facility managers are in a powerful position to shape our environment through the design and implementation of sustainable purchasing policies. This means considering the environmental performance of products and services alongside standard performance and price considerations. Sustainability, although a word now laden with environmental and social meaning, should also infer that buildings or belongings can be economically sustainable not just viable but built to last, built to function and built to be recycled. So, where do you start?

is an opportunity to impact on the triple bottom line economic, environmental and social performance. Once youve established green procurement guidelines, its simply a matter of applying the same principles to each purchase. Whether it is a tin of paint or a tin of biscuits, guidelines need to look at the products materials, source, packaging and how it will be treated at the end of its useful life. The most efficient place to introduce a green procurement strategy is at the beginning of a building contract for a fitout, refurbishment or new building design project. This is when facility managers have the greatest opportunity to influence the buildings lifetime efficiency, but so often are not brought into discussions until further along the project timeline. If you have the opportunity to get involved with the building contract, negotiate contracts early. Although green procurement and buying policies, green leases, and water and energy efficiency measures may take some work to establish, theyll make a major environmental difference and youll reap the rewards in the long run.

Green, for want of a better word, is goodFor facility managers, green procurement means more than just purchasing energy efficient globes and recycling bins. A typical green procurement policy outlines how a company will address environmental goals such as low emissions, forest conservation, recycling, water conservation and energy savings. Whats more, a good policy details how an organisation intends to address competing considerations of performance, cost, durability and availability, bearing in mind that an effective policy

Apply the Three Rs equationAlthough some organisations arent ready to look at the more complex environmental issues such as embodied energy, every company can apply the reduce, reuse, recycle equation to their business decisions. Ask yourself: how can we reduce demand for this product? How can we reuse the product? How can we recycle the product? More importantly, we need to engender a cultural shift that asks: why do we need this product in the first place?



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There are simple actions that any company can apply across the breadth of its organisation. Heres a good example. To most of us, a battery is a battery and yet they are the most common form of hazardous waste disposed of by Australian households, with 97 per cent of those disposing of them via their usual rubbish collection. The majority of batteries contain heavy metals that leak into the ground as the battery erodes. This contributes to soil and water pollution, and endangers wildlife. Some components in batteries can be toxic to fish and make these fish unfit for human consumption. At the Green Building Council of Australias headquarters in Sydney, aptly named the GreenHouse for its 5 Star Green Star Office Interiors v1.1 rating, we have obtained a battery recycling box to store old batteries. Full boxes are collected by a local recycling company, which ensures that the heavy metals dont end up in landfill. Such a simple and inexpensive measure but one that makes an immediate impact, and one that can be implemented in organisations and offices across the country without costing anything extra!

Choosing products with more than one lifeWhile owners and operators have begun to consider the long-term sustainability of their buildings and the products within them, the next challenge is choosing products based not only on their first lives, but also with consideration to their second lives. InterfaceFLOR, which is recognised as the worlds most sustainable carpet manufacturer, has implemented a take-back and recycling program to ensure that its products have a useful second life. InterfaceFLOR Australias Senior Vice President, Clinton Squires, argues that facilities managers are in a prime position to activate a

take-back clause in their lease agreements. For new builds, facilities managers should start by looking for products that can deliver the longest possible first life, and then purchase from companies that have active end-of-life take-back and recycling schemes, Squires says. In the case of refurbishing existing fitouts, facilities managers should ask manufacturers what can be done to take back the existing materials, as this will have an immediate impact on waste-to-landfill reduction. Squires clarifies: Its important to understand that 100 per cent recyclable doesnt necessarily mean the product is part of an active take-back and recycling program. Facilities managers need to look beyond the product marketing and labelling and into the recycling track-record of the manufacturer. Facilities managers also have an enormous amount of power to bring about positive cultural shifts in their organisations, Squires argues. While many companies are refreshing their corporate images every few years, that doesnt mean the materials in their corporate offices need replacing too. Instead, facilities managers need to write their design briefs with the mantra maximise the first life in mind. Imagination and ingenuity need to be applied to the design brief so that the architect or interior designer may respond with a sustainable solution, Squires says. This may mean requesting modular products to allow for selective, rather than complete, replacement, and providing greater flexibility to adapt to changing spatial needs. These kinds of mind-shifts start to reduce the demand for new products, as well as the waste-to-landfill impact, Squires says.

The Australian property market has earned a new star.The NABERS rating scale now extended to 6 stars.NABERS is the industry standard for measuring the environmental performance of Australian buildings, helping building owners and tenants make real reductions in environmental impacts and running costs. Now the bar has been raised higher. Buildings may now qualify for 6 stars, recognising them as market leaders with 50% lower emissions than a 5 star building. Its a big advance for the property industry and a great win for our environment.

For more details, visit nabers.com.au321113A_NABERS | 1721.indd 1 29/07/11 8:45 AM


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More than a piece of green paperNow that youve started to look at your procurement, green leases can help to ensure that you get the best value from your tenancy agreements. Essentially, a green lease outlines the obligations on both the landlord and tenant to achieve targets for energy and water consumption, as well as other environmentally sustainable practices. This may mean the tenant requires the landlord to provide certification that the building achieves a specified Green Star or NABERS rating, and it may specify the requirements for ongoing upkeep of the building. A green lease should also address how the costs and benefits associated with a green building will be allocated to both the tenant and the building owner. Another way facilities managers can make a significant environmental impact is by negotiating a sensible and sustainable make good clause. This contract clause refers to the process at the end of a commercial property lease where the tenant is required to hand back the premises they are vacating in a particular condition that is established by the terms of the lease. In many instances, an incoming tenant wanting to improve the environmental performance of their premises may be keen to install energy-efficient fixtures and systems, says John Goddard, Chairman of RICS Oceania Sustainable Steering Group, who oversaw the development of Greening Make Good, a guide that outlines how landlords and tenants can work together to eliminate the double layer of inefficiency often inherent in make good clauses. Make good clauses are often a disincentive to tenants wanting to do the right thing by the environment, as the landlord may require these energy efficient fixtures and systems to be removed and the old system reinstated to match the remainder of the building, which has old and inefficient fittings and equipment, he explains. In these cases, the tenant must factor in the costs of the new equipment installed, the removal costs and the reinstatement of the old equipment at the end of the lease. This can make the business case for installing environmentally-efficient equipment unworkable, particularly with a trend to short-term and flexible leases where the tenant has a limited time to recover expenditure, Goddard says.

Monitoring performanceAbove all, facilities managers need to be able to monitor and manage their buildings efficiently. This means asking: does the building management system track energy outputs and water consumption?

Do you have efficient waste management monitoring that enables you to check how much glass, metal, plastic and paper go to landfill each month? Waste contractors, utility companies and a good building information management (BIM) system will help you to put together a useful picture of your buildings monthly performance. The 2006 Department of Environment and Heritage Water Efficiency Guide for Office and Public Buildings showed that over a quarter of water use in office buildings was simply leakage leaking cisterns, taps and pipes. A proper BIM system can help to monitor and manage such situations, and pinpoint areas of leakage, waste or inefficiency. The new generation of systems will also examine the carbon implications of transport such as your fleet and air transport. Together with an assessment of your energy and water usage and materials management, facility managers can begin to build up an accurate picture of a buildings footprint. Using such building systems will allow us to examine our picture of the buildings performance in detail and with greater accuracy, and coupled with better procurement guides and cradle-to-cradle thinking, we can look at the lifetime of the products and materials we buy in order to understand the environmental, social and economic impact of each decision. So, whats the next step we can ALL take towards leaner, greener buildings? Well, the first step must be towards greater understanding of our options and greater responsibility for our decision-making. Those of us who will be managing our facilities should become more involved in their fitouts. I predict a paradigm shift in the way we look at the lifecycle of our building materials. In the future, well see facility managers involved in negotiating lease agreements with suppliers for not only furniture, but fittings as well. This will involve leasing carpet, blinds or light fittings from a supplier for just a set time period, before they are removed at the end of their working life to be turned back into new resources once more. In such an environment, well see manufacturers and suppliers maintain responsibility for their products throughout their life cycles, and purchasers make buying decisions based on whats right not just today and tomorrow, but well into the future. Now THATS true sustainability.


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QuEEN ViCTORiA MARkET: AN iCON iN SuSTAiNABiLiTyBy Misti DULLaRD aND KELLy gREENQueen Victoria Market Pty Ltd was a recent winner in the 2011 ECO-Buy Awards for Excellence in Green Purchasing: People for its sustainability initiatives. The Markets environmental initiatives are many, and with a dedicated Chief Executive Officer and a full-time Sustainability Officer on staff, the future of sustainability at the Market is now looking even greener.

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ueen Victoria Market is an open-air retail market offering fresh food, souvenirs, apparel, and take away food and coffee. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Melbourne City Council, has 140 leasehold premises, over 600 stallholders, and draws over 10 million visitors per year. Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd is committed to minimising its environmental impact and considers running a sustainable operation an integral part of providing patrons with a high-quality retail experience.

to the ECO-Buy Business Program and communicating this widely among the staff and Market traders. Senior management further demonstrates the Markets commitment to embed sustainable procurement into business operations through the training of all key staff with responsibility, influence, or an understanding of particular category or expenditure areas. This included running an internal

2011 ECO-Buy Awards for Excellence in Green Purchasing: PeopleIn June, the Market was recognised for its work in sustainability, receiving the ECO-Buy Award for Excellence in Green Purchasing: People. The award recognises success in embedding sustainable procurement practices within the corporate culture, including engaging, training and holding staff accountable at all levels. A key reason for this success is that CEO, Jennifer Hibbs, actively supports green purchasing, as she demonstrated by signing QVM



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workshop on green products and identifying priority purchasing areas. Forums have also been held with key traders to inform and encourage greener purchases. Not only has QVM made green purchasing part of the everyday behaviour of its staff and traders, it is also influencing its 10 million customers to adopt more sustainable purchasing behaviours. One high-profile example is the Bag the Bag Campaign, an initiative that the Markets CEO, Jennifer Hibbs, is particularly proud of. Our goal is to encourage our patrons to bring reusable bags into the Market and eventually have the entire Market plastic bag-free an ambitious goal but an important one, says Ms Hibbs. Plastic bags were phased out of the deli and meat halls from July 2010, with plans to extend to the general merchandise traders by 2012. The success of embedding sustainable procurement practices within the culture of the Market comes from consistently and thoroughly communicating green procurement initiatives before, during and after their implementation. The focus on consultation, involvement, and open discussion of the results and benefits of purchasing decisions encourages buy-in and helps drive lasting cultural and behavioural change. Says Kelly Green, Sustainability Officer and key member of the management team at QVM: Queen

Victoria Market is proud of its work with the Markets traders and their customers to achieve significant behavioural change that has resulted in substantial improvements to our local community. Were committed to ensuring our operating activities occur with minimum environmental impact and have introduced a variety of initiatives to achieve this. These initiatives include:

ECO-BuyThe Market is a member of ECO-Buy. ECO-Buy offers support to organisations to green their purchasing, providing a wide range of services and resources, from policy and strategy development and implementation to practical tools and advice.

Recycling programMost of QVMs waste is produced from the processing of food or from food packaging. The Market has an extensive recycling program that includes recycling the following wastes: 3 Fat and bone, which is used in blood and bone fertiliser; 3 Fish offal, which is collected and processed for stockfeed and fertiliser; 3 Fats from grease traps and cooking oils from deep fryers, which can be processed into stockfeed or converted to biodiesel; 3 Paper and cardboard; 3 Plastic and glass bottles and aluminium cans; and 3 Timber/steel

Waste Wise silver certificationThe Market has achieved silver certification for Sustainability Victorias voluntary Waste Wise program. As part of this program, the Market has developed and implemented an action plan to minimise waste and maximise efficient use of valuable resources.


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Waste Wise eventsQVM, which also runs events the Suzuki Night Market, Coburg Night Market, and Geelong Night Market, is also making an effort to reduce the impact of its events on the environment through litter control, reducing waste and recycling. Single-use plastic bags for packaging are banned; all packaging including take away food packaging is biodegradable.

Stormwater qualityGroundwater runoff is not captured for storage and is allowed to enter the normal stormwater system. QVMs stormwater drains are designed to ensure that stormwater entering the drainage system is of a reasonable quality. Filter baskets and specially designed grates filter out any solids, such as plastic and large vegetable matter. Diversion pits prevent the initial runoff water that might be contaminated by organic material entering the stormwater system, by diverting it to sewer. Only once the flow rate reaches a certain level is it diverted back to the stormwater system.

Solar energyIn April 2003, the Market introduced its solar panel project 1328 solar panels covering one-third of the Market roof. At the time, the project was the largest urban grid-connected solar photovoltaic installation in the southern hemisphere. The system has the capacity to generate 252,000 kilowatt hours of electricity each year for the Market enough to power around 46 average homes a year. The decision to switch to solar power offers the distinct benefits of a dramatic reduction in the volume of greenhouse gases being generated in Melbournes inner-city precinct. To help visitors understand more about the project, a permanent, real-time display is on site to show updated information.

Fair tradeThe Market is a member of the Fair Trade Association, having met their criteria of serving fair trade tea and coffee in our staff rooms. The Fair Trade Association seeks greater equity in international trade for producers and workers in third world countries. They advocate paying a fair price to producers for goods and ensure better wages and conditions for workers. The Market also supports fair trade by hosting the annual Victorian Fair Trade Festival as part of Fair Trade Fortnight. So whats ahead for Queen Victoria Markets sustainability initiatives? Investigations are already underway into how the market can better capture and process food waste generated at the site a project already two years into planning and investigation. The option shaping up as the preferred one is an on-site food composting reduction process. Other initiatives under consideration include extending the Markets solar panels to provide for its future electricity needs.

Water harvestingThe operation of QVM means that large amounts of water need to be used to clean the Market to ensure public health.The Rainwater Harvesting Project is designed to capture water from the roof of the Market, which is then treated and recycled to provide an alternative water source for flushing the public toilets in Queen Street. This water would normally flow as untreated stormwater into Port Phillip Bay. Its expected that this project will reduce the Markets potable water consumption by around 25 per cent; saving the volume of approximately six Olympic swimming pools of water each year.


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A SuSTAiNABLE WATER FuTuREBy MELBOURNE WatER

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elbourne Water is owned by the Victorian Government and manages water supply catchments, treats and supplies drinking and recycled water, removes and treats most of Melbournes sewage, and manages waterways and major drainage systems in the Port Phillip and Westernport region. The organisation prides itself on considering social, environmental and financial effects and short-term and long-term implications in all its business decisions. Melbourne Water has around 850 employees, manages $8.4 billion in assets and has a vision of working together to ensure a

sustainable water future, making sustainability a cornerstone of the actions of the organisation. Earlier this year, Melbourne Water was the recipient of three awards including the Overall Champion Award for Excellence in Green Purchasing at the 2011 ECO-Buy Excellence in Green Purchasing Awards. This award recognises excellence in all five dimensions of sustainable procurement: People, Policy, Process, Engaging Suppliers and Measurement. Melbourne Water also won two other Excellence in Green Purchasing Awards in the Procurement Process, and Policy, Strategy and Communications categories. ECO-Buy is an award-winning not-for-profit Centre of Excellence in Environmental Purchasing, established to encourage the purchasing of environmentally preferable products and services. The ECOBuy Awards for Excellence in Green Purchasing are held annually to recognise and celebrate the green purchasing achievements of businesses and Victorian local and state government. Since becoming an ECO-Buy member in 2006, Melbourne Water has worked hard to become a leading green procurement practitioner. Melbourne Water is the only organisation in Australia that has achieved a fully audited silver level on Part 1 of ECO-Buy Sustainable Procurement Assessment Tool, thus demonstrating best practice or near best practice in each of the five dimensions of sustainable procurement. Melbourne Water particularly excels in the areas of Policy, Strategy and Communications; Procurement Process; and Measurement and Continuous Improvement. A key strength of Melbourne Water is its robust sustainable procurement policy framework, which has been externally reviewed


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Left to right: Geraldine Plas (ECO-Buy), Toby Cooper, Kevin Lloyd, Patrick McCormick, Ben Furmage, Tony Gill, Mal Haynes (absent: Carol Jadraque and Howard Rose).

and scored 24 out of 25 points on the ECO-Buy Sustainable Procurement Assessment Tool. Melbourne Waters commitment to sustainability is formalised in its strategic framework. The Sustainable Procurement Policy further commits Melbourne Water, and those who purchase on its behalf, to: 3 Make significant and continual improvement in the sustainability of their purchase decisions; 3 Engage and consult with suppliers and stakeholders to promote and improve sustainable purchases and practices; 3 Apply the policy with suppliers and partners; and 3 Monitor and report progress toward sustainable procurement. The Policy identifies four priority procurement areas and is strongly integrated with other strategies and management systems, including the Strategic Framework, the Environment Policy, the Procurement and Purchasing Policy, and the Sustainable Procurement Register.

Sustainable procurement processesMelbourne Water is committed to translating its best practice Sustainable Procurement Policy and Strategy into tangible results. Key category officers receive sustainable procurement training, and an internal sustainable procurement working group with representatives from the supply team and sustainability improvement team has been set up. Sustainability considerations are embedded into Melbourne Waters supplier selection and contracts. Standard tender documents include a detailed environmental questionnaire. Questionnaires have also been tailored to capture the unique impacts of industries such as designers and printers.

Measurement of sustainable procurement performanceMelbourne Water tracks its sustainable procurement via a Sustainability Procurement Register, which records the sustainability category and environmental initiatives associated with goods and services purchased. Eight sustainability categories are used, including energy efficiency, maintain habitat, minimise toxicity, packaging, suppliers sustainability principles, waste reduction and water efficiency. Melbourne Water compares its sustainable procurement performance with other organisations and uses the results to inform management decisions. Managers are encouraged to set sustainable procurement targets in the four priority areas indentified in the Sustainable Procurement Policy (capital works projects, IT and computers, fleet and stationery), and are required to publish an annual report on the sustainable procurement section of the intranet. Key results, such as the fact that 45 per cent of Melbourne Waters total stationery expenditure is on sustainable products, will be published in the organisations annual sustainability reports.

Sustainable Procurement GuidelinesThe Sustainable Procurement Guidelines set responsibilities for sustainable procurement and provide Melbourne Water staff with comprehensive instructions and practical examples of how to put the policy into practice. A diagram lists and shows the relationship between all sustainable procurement documents and the various stakeholders who own and use these documents. Guidance is provided on how to apply a series of sustainable procurement principles that range from avoiding unnecessary purchases to engaging suppliers who demonstrate knowledge of and engagement with their supply chains. Supply chain mapping, eco-labels and monitoring are among the tools featured in the Guidelines. As Ken Baxter, Melbourne Waters Energy Manager, says, Melbourne Water has a target to source 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources and have net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2018. The Sustainable Procurement Policy provides the support for us to make procurement decisions in support of these goals, such as the 15-year renewable electricity contract that we signed with AGL in 2010.


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How efficient is my cooling tower?IRAH, with the support of the Victorian government, has developed a unique online resource to encourage efficiency in the operation of cooling towers. mycoolingtower.com.au is a dynamic, innovative new website that provides indicative efficiency measurement of water use in cooling towers based upon user-defined input, says AIRAH chief operations officer Neil Cox. Its an easily accessible device capable of an accurate and informed calculation of water use in cooling towers. Anyone be they a facility manager, building manager or building owner who is looking for more information about the conservation of water in their existing or proposed cooling towers now has fantastic resource at their disposal. Water is becoming an increasingly valuable and expensive resource in parts of Australia, and it makes sense to be able to assess a cooling towers water use, Cox says. Simple adjustments to cooling towers can save

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substantial amounts of water and money. Not only can it supply solid data on water use in cooling towers, its also a repository of information and resources about cooling towers that will be added to over time with the latest case studies and information. If cooling towers is a subject about which youd like to know more then mycoolingtower.com.au is the logical place to start. Cooling towers in Australia use a considerable amount of water. Indeed, there are an estimated 30,000 cooling towers operating in the country, many using between 5000 to 10,000 litres per day. This equates to more than 150,000 million litres nationally, which is about the same amount of water used by 200,000 homes. Its a confronting statistic, which only serves to underscore the absolute necessity for a useful site such as www.mycoolingtower.com.au, Cox says.

AIRAH Chief Operating Officer Neil Cox

FACTSn There are an estimated 30,000 cooling towers operating in Australia. n Cooling towers can use between 5,000 and 10,000 litres per day.

You can do the maths! We did and the result is a one of a kind cooling tower water efficiency calculator available online.

www.mycoolingtower.com.au

The CTWEC website has been developed by AIRAH as part of a collaboration between industry groups, water corporations and the Victorian government.


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AustrAliAs World-ClAss Building teChnologyuring 2010 the Local Government Superannuation Fund (LGS) was awarded Green Building Funding (GBF) for the energy efficiency upgrades to lighting and air conditioning within five of its buildings and to achieve an aspirational energy rating of 4.5 to 5 star NABERS base building in each. Prior to the upgrades each building was NABERS rated together with a consultants report of the indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and occupants productivity. The air conditioning upgrade to each building included the retrofitting of the Australian invented Shaw Method of Air Conditioning (SMAC). The retrofit works to all buildings were completed during the second half of 2010 and the first of these at 120 Sussex Street has now been independently audited for a NABERS base building energy rating and an IEQ report post retrofit has been submitted. The energy audit shows that after nine months operation post retrofit, the 19-year-old 120 Sussex Street has reduced its base building energy by over 50 per cent from a rating of 3.5 stars to now achieving its aspirational energy rating of 5 star NABERS base building. At the time of listing 120 Sussex Street on the NABERS website, this building had CBD Sydneys lowest energy intensity and its rating is almost one full NABERS star greater than the Sydney energy benchmark building at 30 The Bond. The 5 star NABERS rating was achieved without any allowance for green power, or the installation of tri/co generation, or the utilisation of harbour water for cooling. Furthermore 120 Sussex Street does not have an outdoor air economy cycle, has relatively poor thermally zoned air conditioning, has non insulated supply air ducting to perimeter zone air registers, employs electric heating and has an all-glass faade such

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that, all of these elements are not conducive to achieving a highly energy efficient building. The IEQ report for 120 Sussex Street has revealed a significant improvement in air conditioning metrics of air quality, thermal comfort and general tenant satisfaction together with a summation that occupancy productivity has improved by $188 per square metre. The retrofit of energy efficient technologies at 120 Sussex Street cost $160 per square metre (inclusive of the GBF) and this is less than 25 per cent of the estimated $765 per square metre published by the Property Council of Australia (PCA) in their report titled PCA/Arup Existing Buildings Survival Strategies II-2009. The cost of $765 per square metre poses a large financial barrier for the implementation of energy efficient technologies, however at the cost of $160 per square metre the technologies chosen for 120 Sussex Street should become a very important game changer and greatly assist in Australia moving to a low carbon future. SMAC is the majority contributor to the increased occupants productivity and the air conditioning energy reductions were achieved with SMAC operating in conjunction with new energy efficient magnetic bearing chillers. All retrofit works were implemented without the need to relocate or disrupt the buildings occupants, hence also minimising retrofit costs. The aspirational energy and occupants productivity targets are all on track to be achieved at the other four LGS buildings. These outcomes with SMAC at LGS buildings are consistent with those achieved with SMAC at over 30 other buildings including an 85 per cent air conditioning energy reduction at University of Queenslands library building called Duhig and a 60 per cent energy reduction at the Art Gallery of South Australia, and these installations clearly prove that SMAC is a low costing, relatively simple world-class energy efficient technology and perfectly suitable to all new and retrofit commercial/industrial air conditioning applications. Many of these 30 and over retrofit projects have been implemented by a Design and Construct contracting methodology and the ease of design and installation ideally lends itself to this installation procedure.


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WHy CHOOSiNG GREEN pROduCTS FOR yOuR BuiLdiNG MAkES GOOd BuSiNESS SENSEMaRy DUNNE, BUsiNEss DEVELOpMENt MaNagER, ECO-BUy LiMitED

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reen buildings are designed to be energy and water efficient, which means they are cheaper to operate and will generate fewer carbon emissions than their less green counterparts. With the introduction of a carbon price in Australia currently occupying considerable headline space, future costs of operation are going to become increasingly important factors when prospective tenants are making leasing decisions. In November 2010, the Commercial Buildings Disclosure (CBD) program came into effect Australia-wide, requiring most sellers or lessors of office space of 2000 square metres and over to obtain and disclose an up-to-date energy efficiency rating. Of course, operating costs are only part of the picture. Indoor environment quality (IEQ) has been shown by numerous studies to be a major factor in increasing employee satisfaction, reducing employee absenteeism and improving productivity. This is particularly important in the case of office, retail and healthcare workers who, according to the OECD, spend up to 90 per cent of their time indoors.

Indoor environment quality is influenced by lighting, temperature, ventilation and the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are typically found in building materials, flooring, paints and varnishes, furniture, office equipment and cleaning products. VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, and include a variety of chemicals, some of which have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to 10 times higher) than outdoors. The health effects include eye irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea, skin problems, fatigue, and damage to the kidney, liver or central nervous system. Some VOCs are also known or suspected carcinogens. In the case of fit-outs or retrofits, there is more scope to influence the choice of materials and appliances, with the best practice standard being Green Star (www.gbca.org.au). The Green Star Office Interiors rating tool scores a range of categories including emissions, energy, materials, water use and indoor environment quality. Choosing green products for fit-out or retrofitting, as well as



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normal operations and maintenance, can be a challenge. Here is our guide on what to look for.

Only buy insulation with an R rating (measure of the insulating value), which meets the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 4859.1 Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings. 2. Reflective paint Reflective paint (not technically insulation) contains special particles that cool a building by reflecting the suns heat better than the standard roof. These coatings have been shown to reduce airconditioning loads in buildings over summer, helping to save energy costs. 3. Air conditioners New regulations covering energy performance and labelling for air conditioning units came into force in April 2010. Most units imported or manufactured after this date must comply with the new standards (Minimum Energy Performance Standards MEPS). Further changes are coming into force during 2011, covering standby and other non-operational power. For details, visit www.energyrating.gov.au.

LightingGreen lighting uses less energy than existing lighting options, and where possible contains fewer toxic substances. This generally means: 3 High efficiency fluorescent lighting (T5); 3 LED technology; or 3 Compact fluorescent. Fortunately for facility managers, energy efficient lighting is one area where the economic incentives are strong and payback times relatively short. By switching to more efficient lighting, you will also save energy on air conditioning. As well as product alternatives, consider the scope for de-lamping in areas that may be over-lit. Other actions can include fitting motion sensors where people tend to leave lights on. 1. Replacing halogen downlights Halogen downlights are energy hungry. There are a range of replacement options, some of which do not require alteration to the existing ceiling cut-out. Replacement options typically consume 15W per fitting, and replace a halogen fitting consuming 50W. The options are: a. Compact fluorescent conversion small fitting with similar light output to 50W halogen fitting. b. LED conversion LEDs provide high light output, long life, low heat output and low toxicity (no mercury). While they can be expensive, technological advances are driving the price down and LEDs are becoming a common and viable replacement for halogen downlights. 2. Upgrading fluorescent lighting to T5 fluorescent lighting T5 tubes, which also use more electronic controllers (ballasts) are more efficient than traditional T8 tubes and copper ballasts. T5 tubes are shorter than T8 tubes, but conversion kits enable T5 lights to be used in existing T8 fittings. The kits incorporate the electronic ballast and, being easy to fit, can be a cost-effective solution for smaller fitouts where budgets are constrained. For a refurbishment, new T5 lighting is a better option.

PaintsIn addition to VOCs, other hazardous chemicals in paints can include chromates used for pigment and formaldehyde. The Good Environmental Choice (GECA) label (www.geca.org.au), Green Tag (www.ecospecifier.com.au) and the Green Star rating program have standards on VOC content in indoor paint.

Heating and coolingNatural forms of cooling, combined with good building design, are increasingly able to maintain building comfort comparable to artificial methods. The Green Building Council of Australia has developed comprehensive guidelines and rating tools for commercial buildings, which have resulted in the construction of some excellent sustainable buildings. For existing sites, there are a number of things you can do that will not only improve the comfort of users, but also reduce environmental impact and save you money over the longer term. 1. Insulation Ensure that the building has the highest practical level of insulation. Recycled content or environmentally certified insulation is available for different applications. The greenest insulation is made from recycled materials. Options include: 3 blanket type: recycled polyester, recycled glass, recycled wool; and 3 loose cellulose fibre insulation made from recycled paper. The performance and quality of these products is in line with products made from virgin materials.

FlooringFlooring can contain high levels of VOCs. If choosing carpet or any other flooring, look for GECA certified, Carpet Institute of Australia Environmental Certification Scheme (preferably level 2 or higher), recycled content, low VOC tested, or Green Tag certified.

FurnitureThe materials and adhesives used in furniture can contain high levels of VOCs and other substances of concern. Some furniture may also contain halogenated flame retardant, which was recently named as


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the Worst Chemical of the Year in the United States Toxie Awards. Green furniture is made to meet environmental standards including less toxic raw materials, use of recycled materials, and ensuring that renewable materials are from a certified source. Look for furniture that meets GECA or Green Star requirements. Green furniture may also have other advantages over its life, including the ability to be recovered and eventually recycled. This can save waste management costs compared to conventional furniture.

waste and bamboo can also be green, but as these products rarely carry certification, its hard to be sure whether what you are getting is really sustainable. 1. Recycled content Buying recycled content is a simple way to ensure that your paper choices are not contributing to deforestation/habitat destruction. This is an important advantage over virgin fibre paper. Also, being made from waste office paper, it does not need to go through a bleaching process like virgin paper does. 2. Sustainable forestry schemes If you cannot source recycled content bathroom tissue, the alternative is paper that is certified as being from either of the following forest management schemes: 3 FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) 3 PEFC (Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certifications), which in Australia is known as the Australian Forestry Standard (AFS). When buying certified paper, ensure that it is 100 per cent certified and not from mixed sources. Both the FSC and PEFC have mixed sources labels, which allow trees from sources that only meet lower standards of sustainability. Avoid paper that does not carry these certifications, regardless of the claims made by the supplier. In bathrooms where there is high traffic, hand-drying alternatives such as fast air dryers are an option. The best models use significantly less energy than warm air dryers and are more hygienic.

Appliances and office equipmentEnergy efficient appliances (such as dishwashers, refrigerators or washing machines) may sometimes cost more upfront, but the total cost of ownership, including running costs, will generally work out lower. Any appliance classified as domestic is required to carry labels rating energy and water use; the higher the star rating, the better. Commercial appliances are covered by MEPS. Data centres are responsible for more than one-third of Australias ICT footprint, due to energy used for cooling as well as normal operations. A 2010 study showed that standby power is responsible for almost 20 per cent of ICT energy consumption. Power management systems can be a very effective tool in reducing energy wastage. When selecting new computers, EPEAT is the global standard for greener electronics. EPEAT uses a whole-of-life approach, and registered products use less toxic materials, less energy and are easier to recycle. For details visit www.epeat.net.

Water saving devicesThere is a link between energy use and water use, so by saving water you will also reduce energy bills. Choose the most efficient hot water system, and fit flow control devices to taps and any showers. Waterless urinals need correct maintenance and cleaning to avoid any problems with odour control.

Behaviour changeIt can be hard to change habits (such as leaving computers and lights on), so communicating your organisations green actions and the outcomes to staff is key. Think about setting up a green team from across your organisation to come up with ideas, and create a section on your intranet to keep everyone up-to-date with the latest news.

CleaningPetro-chemical based cleaning and maintenance products such as bleach, disinfectants, anti-bacterials, deodorisers, pesticides and carpet cleaning chemicals have been shown to cause significant health problems. Studies show that cleaning staff suffer higher rates of illness than average. Ways to avoid these pollutants include minimising carpeted areas requiring cleaning; steam cleaning without chemical deodorisers; using plant-based cleaning solutions, and micro-fibre cloths and mops, which reduce the need for chemicals. An easy way to ensure that you are buying green cleaning products is to go for a recognised eco-label. Trusted eco-labels for cleaning products in Australia include: 3 Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) www.geca.org.au 3 Green Seal (which is a United States-based standard) www.greenseal.org Suppliers can promote self-declared environmental claims, in particular biodegradability, but be sure to ask how these claims are verified. Also, check that claims cover all the attributes of a green cleaning product, not just a single attribute.

ABOuT ECO-BuyECO-Buy Limited is a not-for-profit Centre of Excellence in Environmental Purchasing, established to encourage the procurement of environmentally preferable (green) products and services. Green procurement is based on the simple premise that every purchase impacts on the environment in some way, and is about choosing to buy products and services that are less damaging to our environment and human health than competing products and services that serve the same purpose. With 11 years of award-winning experience delivering practical programs, ECO-Buys objective is to increase the demand for, and use of, environmentally preferable products and services. ECO-Buy provides independent advice and expertise to governments and businesses on how to embed sustainability into procurement.

Bathroom tissueGreen bathroom tissue is either: 3 Made using recycled paper (recycled content); or 3 Carries either PEFC or FSC certification (with conditions, see below). Bathroom tissue made from non-wood sources such as sugar cane


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Choosing ProduCts with More than one LifeWhile owners and occupiers have begun to consider how green their buildings and the products within them are, the next challenge is to choose products based not only on their first life, but also with consideration to their second life.

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nterfaceFLOR have implemented a take-back and recycling program for all their products, known as ReEntry. Carpet tiles collected from refurbished offices go into one of two ReEntry streams: Reuse or Recycle giving every kind of used carpet tile a second life. As part of their sustainable commitment, InterfaceFLOR have also extended ReEntry to include carpet tiles from other manufacturers. Shaneel Deo, Vice President Sales InterfaceFLOR Australia, says This initiative will have an enormous impact on waste-to-landfill rates for the commercial carpet sector. With more than 22,000 tonnes of commercial carpet going to landfill in Australia each year, ReEntry is the only carpet tile recycling program in Australia to take back both competitor and manufacturers-own product. The ReEntry recycling technology separates the tufted pile and backing from old carpet tiles and recycles them into new carpet tiles. Using the same kind of product to make a new, recycled product is known as closed loop recycling, and its the most sustainable solution for managing the end of life of modular carpet. Thanks to ReEntry, InterfaceFLOR carpet tiles are leading the industry in closed loop recycled content, containing up to 80 per cent recycled material, including up to 29 per cent post consumer content. In Australia, InterfaceFLORs ReEntry carpet tile recycling program has diverted more than 100,000 square metres of carpet from landfills enough to cover more than 20 football fields. InterfaceFLORs commitment to sustainable business practices was recognised recently by the New South Wales Governments Green Globe Awards committee, being named a finalist in the Business Sustainability Award category.

FinalistChoosing Products with More than One Lifeconsider how green their buildings and the products within them are, the next challenge is to choose products based not only on their first life, but also with consideration to their second life.

For more information on InterfaceFLORs ReEntry carpet tile While program, visit www.interfaceflor.com.au. recycles them into recyclingowners and occupiers have begun to

kind of product to known as closed l sustainable solutio modular carpet.

InterfaceFLOR have implemented a take-back and recycling program for all their products, known as ReEntry. Carpet tiles collected from refurbished offices go into one of two ReEntry streams: Reuse or Recycle - giving every kind of used carpet tile a second life. As part of their sustainable commitment, InterfaceFLOR have also extended ReEntry to include carpet tiles from other manufacturers. Shaneel Deo, Vice President Sales InterfaceFLOR Australia, says This initiative will have an enormous impact on waste-to-landfill rates for the commercial carpet sector. With more than 22,000 tonnes of commercial carpet going to landfill in Australia each year, ReEntry is the only carpet tile recycling program in Australia to take back both competitor and manufacturers-own product. The ReEntry recycling technology separates the tufted pile and backing from old carpet tiles and

Thanks to ReEntry are leading the ind content, containin including up to 29

In Australia, Interfa recycling program sqm of carpet from than 20 football fie

InterfaceFLORs c business practices the NSW Governm committee, being Sustainability Awa

For more informat carpet tile recyclin www.interfaceflor.

InterfaceFLOR ReEntry carpet tiles being processed for recycling into new carpet tiles.

Australias first council operated carpet tile recycling depot. A joint venture between InterfaceFLOR and Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council, Perth, WA.


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GET THE ECO SPECIFIED CONNECTIONwhose curvaceous bodyline flows so exactly to the balcony, they spoon each other perfectlyave you ever seen something on the balcony of a sky rise building and wondered how they managed to get it there? Walk by the Domain Apartments, Level B, Corner Albert Street and St Kilda Road, Melbourne, and peer up at level 13. You will see a nicely landscaped residential balcony with some impressive looking planter boxes whose curvaceous bodyline flows so exactly to the balcony, they spoon each other perfectly. In fact, it is the way The Container Connection planters follow the curvature of the balcony exactly that makes this project unique. The Container Connection Group has been working with the best planter designers, manufacturers, and suppliers across Australasia to bring the ideas of interior designers, architects, facility managers, plantscapers and landscapers, and property developers into reality. Their extensive range of commercial planters reflects the latest trends, with constantly improved designs, materials, colours and shapes. The Container Connection is the patron of the National Interior Plantscape Association financially backing all major industry events as well as contributing to significant global research into the benefits of indoor plants and cutting edge green research. With outlets in every Australian capital city and New Zealand, The Container Connections motivation is to be the best it can be. As an industry supplier they combine delivering the broadest range of high quality planters, distinctively designed, that meet your needs in every way. Their personnel represent decades of expertise channelled into assisting you to find smart, economically viable solutions to your challenges. While their range of existing planters is significant, The Container Connection knows that some challenges are unique and require customised design and manufacture. If you need a product that is job-specific, The Container Connection is the recognised

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leader in innovation and can manage the most difficult concepts. Their reputation as an innovator continues to grow with subirrigated planters for internal furnishings, to recycling stations for QANTAS and now furniture for indoor and outdoor spaces. See the new Limo bench seat being launched at Saturday in Design in Sydney. The Container Connection range of generic products includes CottaPot, Lechuza, Ceramalite, Fibresmart, Fabfol Planters and Littersmart Recycling. In an Australian first, the Container Connection (TCC), in partnership with Monash University, installed 1000 eco-friendly litter bins for use across the universitys office and teaching spaces and all campuses. TCC were excited to be a partner in Monash Universitys Environmental Sustainability Policy. The litter bins were manufactured from recycled Polyethylene and are now in demand across Australia. Late last year in New South Wales, The Container Connection delivered the first Australian-made, roto-moulded polyethylene recycle stations to QANTAS. QANTAS have installed them in their Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth terminals not only as a functional item, but as an attractive addition to their departure and arrival halls. The Container Connection remains the only Australian distributor designing or delivering products that meet progressive environmental policies. Environmentally friendly practices are at the heart of The Container Connection, who progresses best practice in facility buildings, green buildings and property developments.You will not do better than to make the connection today and contact The Container Connection Group at containerconnection.com.au


sustainable design solutionsplanters, litterbins, furniture and custom designLatest major projects include: ENERGEX Headquarters - Brisbane 6 Star Green Building - CottaPot planters and custom design QANTAS Australia - National Custom designed recycling litterbins for national terminals Australia Post Headquarters - Melbourne 5 Star Green Building - CottaPot planters 7 Eleven Convenience Stores - National LitterSmart waste bin contract CBA Buildings - Olympic Park Sydney Recycled POD Liners for in situ cabinet planters SANTOS Buildings - Brisbane + Perth Green Star rated - CottaPot planters Christchurch - New Zealand CottaPot Chuckel public mass furniture installation

The Container Connection delivers the latest in top Australian designed and manufactured products. Award winning designers work in close collaboration to create unique products. Contact your nearest Container Connection for the latest catalogue and up-to-date product details and solutions.

BrisbaneP:0737120466 F:0737120488

SydneyP:0298314114 F:0298314039

MelbourneP:0397641080 F:0397641995

AdelaideP:0883363066 F:0883658977

PerthP:0893092442 F:0893092787

Wellington NZP:049396666 F:049396666

www.containerconnection.com.au

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Climate Wizard a magiCal Way to make your building greener

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ith rapidly escalating power costs and a growing focus on the environment, as well as new mandatory energy disclosure regulations, there is increasing pressure on building owners to improve the energy rating of their buildings. Using air conditioning to keep a buildings temperature comfortable can use as much as 40 per cent of the electricity needed to run the entire building. But now, there is a compelling alternative and its made right here in Australia. Its called Climate Wizard by Seeley International and independent tests performed by Universities in Australia and USA have confirmed that although its remarkable performance does seem magical, it really does deliver on all of its promises. Seeley Internationals founder and Chairman, Frank Seeley AM, led a team that spent nearly two decades developing this revolutionary technology. Climate Wizard is the worlds most exciting indirect evaporative air conditioner, Frank said. It uses the same principles as traditional (direct) evaporative cooling, but in a different way and it delivers supercool air that can rival refrigerated systems, and for just a fraction of the running costs. Most importantly, Climate Wizard does not add any moisture to the conditioned air. Climate Wizard uses up to 80 per cent less energy than a refrigerated system.... which can mean huge savings on spiralling power bills.

Furthermore, because it does not add moisture to the delivered air as it cools, Climate Wizard can do far more than direct evaporative cooling. In fact, Climate Wizard can achieve temperature drops of more than 30 degrees no wonder so many people cant believe it!

ApplicationsClimate Wizard can be used as a stand-alone air conditioner (providing 100 per cent of the cold air required), or in conjunction with refrigerated systems to slash power use and deliver loads more cooling! By adding Climate Wizard to the front of a refrigerated system (known as Cold Front Cooling), it can pre-cool the required fresh air component before it enters the refrigerated system reducing the load on the refrigerated plant. Or, a Climate Wizard can be used alongside refrigerated systems (known as Supplementary Cooling) to increase the overall installed cooling capability and directly provide the fresh air to the building.

InstallationsClimate Wizard can be used in both new and existing air conditioning installations thereby delivering a significantly reduced carbon footprint. To date, Climate Wizards many installations include food processing plants, fast food outlets, data centres, offices, community and leisure centres and universities, to name just a few of the many applications. We recently installed Climate Wizard in a fast food outlet in Queensland, Frank said. They were able to reduce the size of the refrigerated plant that they would otherwise have needed to cool the building, which substantially offset the cost of adding the Climate Wizard. So they broke even on the initial installation and are now going to cut significant dollars off their air conditioning running costs.For more information about Climate Wizard, visit climatewizard.com.au

Amazing cooling resultsAs the hot summer temperature soars, Climate Wizards cooling performance increases in contrast to refrigerated systems, which experience reduced performance as temperatures rise. And as well, the input power stays constant again, quite contrary to refrigerated systems, where input power rises sharply with increased outside temperatures. Climate Wizards cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) are both many times greater than for traditional refrigerated systems.



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WORkSpACES OF THE FuTuRE MyTHS ANd REALiTiESBy BRiaN pURDEy, assOCiatE pROfEssOR Of faCiLitiEs MaNagEMENt, iNstitUtE Of sUstaiNaBLE DEsigN aND aRChitECtURE, BOND UNiVERsity

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uch is currently being written about the benefits of improved indoor environment quality (IEQ) resulting from sustainable workplace design, particularly regarding occupant satisfaction and productivity. A very rosy picture with increased occupant satisfaction and perceptions of performance improvement is invariably painted. Baird et al (2011) claim that user perceptions of the performance of the sustainable buildings they studied were significantly better than conventional buildings. When occupants are asked to rate indoor environmental conditions, are their responses indicative of environmental satisfaction or environmental performance? Could satisfaction scores simply be reflective of individual satisfaction? Is there any relationship with job satisfaction or job performance?

It is well established that the links between job satisfaction and job performance are tenuous, while direct links between specific aspects of environmental satisfaction and objective job performance are even more difficult to prove (Argyle, 1989; Sundstrom, 1986), perhaps with the exception of noise. Anecdotal evidence, however, prefers the consistently discredited happy productive worker thesis. Nonetheless, subjective data increasingly finds its way into business case preparation to justify more sustainable design. The theory is that because salary costs over the life of the occupancy exceed both building capital and operating costs, small human resources performance improvements can outweigh financial gains from resource efficiencies in other areas, e.g. energy efficiency. Demonstrating occupant productivity gains in green buildings


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becomes the sought-after magic bullet! How then do we measure productivity gains in modern office work? A number of different approaches have been used, for example: 3 Individual surveys, measuring efficiency gains in time-based activities, e.g. typing keystroke rates. What percentage of the job is actually time-based? 3 Using standardised instruments and surrogates for objectively measured productivity such as perceived productivity. To what extent is perception matched by reality? Whatever the survey method, a persistent problem lies in the tendency to generalise from the specific. Building evaluations are quite context dependent; the findings from one building reinterpreted into a completely different built environment with extreme care. In pushing the case for future green workplaces, Arnel (2011) refers to Australian buildings achieving above-average international ratings for occupant productivity. Gains of 10.9 per cent per annum and 13 per cent respectively enabled up-front investment in better IEQ to be paid off quickly. These are not insignificant claims and thus deserving of closer investigation. Estimated project outcomes for Council House 2 are summarised by Cheung (2005) including predicted productivity improvements from one per cent to 4.9 per cent. The mathematics behind such a prediction are not revealed. The only public post evaluation data is from 2007 (Paevere & Brown, 2008). This report claims that productivity had improved by an impressive 10.9 per cent, mainly as a result of indoor air quality (IAQ), air delivery and thermal comfort improvements. The first question then is, if occupants had their perceptions pre-conditioned, is the gain really 10.9 per cent or merely 6.0 per cent? This performance data came from a single occupant survey within the extended commissioning period required for green buildings, during which IEQ was compromised by excessive noise, poor lighting, odours and legionella. Under such circumstances, could job performance (i.e. productivity) really be better than in the previous working environment? How credible are occupant perceptions of IAQ, in the presence of legionella? Were occupant perceptions shielded from the objective IAQ reality? An independent comparison of pre- and post-occupancy performance showed little indication that projected savings will be realised (McGaw, 2010). Claimed productivity gains are based on self-reported data only and therefore this methodology could be questioned. Also, the data was collected during times of change and

the methodology didnt include tracking individuals as they moved from CH1 to CH2. As the baseline study group was largely different to the post-evaluation group, is there any basis for comparative evaluation? General challenges result if the evaluation instrument scales are coarse, e.g. within range intervals of +/- 10 per cent for expected gains/losses. With fixed range limits imposed on a measurement scale, the researcher also influences any response to the survey. Using a free modulus approach where respondents nominate any numerical perception of productivity gain or loss is considered more accurate (Purdey & Leifer, 2011b). Thus a preconditioned gain of 4.9 per cent delivered an impressive improvement of 10.9 per cent for an unknown sample of employees in a single evaluation. This narrative has subsequently morphed into an objective gain of 10.9 per cent per annum for the whole building or occupying organisation. These data when applied to an average annual salary present very seductive financial gains to the business case. However, if the industry is serious about human performance, it needs to ensure claimed productivity gains linked to IEQ can first be substantiated, but are also sustained over time. The study of human response to stimulus is complex: the relationships non-linear following geometric power laws. Occupant survey methods tend to use simple arithmetic means and standard deviations, and such approaches have been found to overstate ratings by as much as eight per cent for comfort, 18 per cent for productivity (Purdey & Leifer, 2011b). Perceptions of productivity can only be considered as an occupants response to a range of indoor environment stimuli, which may have an association with performance, nothing more, nothing less. Environmental stimuli are complex and interwoven, and the ability to separate out IEQ as an aggregated stimulus leading to an objective performance response is even more problematic. A point also needs to be made that most occupant evaluation surveys only ask individuals about their perceptions of productivity, yet most modern office work is team oriented or group-based. How relevant are these survey findings? It is not simply a matter of adding individual results across teams, since this denies the systemic nature of workgroup performance (Purdey, 2010). It is easy to see why the emphasis might shift to occupant health, wellbeing, absenteeism and turnover. Do the arguments really stack up? Reduced sick days and lower absenteeism do not necessarily deliver a performance benefit. As most Australian employers do



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not pay employee health insurance, there is no insurance premium benefit from reduced sickness. Incremental gains are possible if fewer sick days translate into lower employee numbers. If employees spend more days at work due to reduced sickness, individual productivity actually decreases, unless it can be demonstrated that there is a disproportionate increase in individual output from the additional days input. That is the definition of productivity! You cannot automatically claim productivity increased on the basis of changes to inputs only. Similar counter-arguments can be constructed for turnover. Wider economic conditions such as labour market conditions, unemployment rates and pay structures have a much greater impact on the movement of employees between organisations. There is also some evidence that the life cycle of workplace attractiveness features can be as short as six weeks, after which time available work tools primarily drive employee performance. There is no doubt that poor workplaces contribute to poor performance, but to argue the opposite that improved environmental conditions in their own right generate improved performance can quite possibly be misleading. As ASHRAE Fellow Dorgan (1998) correctly notes, IAQ is only one of the components that affect productivity in commercial office buildings. Other factors including management style, education, training, experience, salary, business stress, competition, and workload must be accounted for in any productivity benchmarking study to obtain valid results. We need to move on from archaic and invalid methods, or metrics that are time-based, to more sophisticated tools that can directly measure the environmental impact on aspects of cognitive performance relevant to modern work, such as decision-making, learning and working memory accuracy (Purdey & Leifer, 2011a). Any worthwhile cause that bases its argument on unsubstantiated spin rather than reality sows the seeds of its own demise. The world definitely needs a more sustainable approach to the design,

development and occupancy of its built facilities, but one based on facts rather than fictions.ReferencesArgyle, M. (1989). Do happy workers work harder the effects of job satisfaction on job performance. Rotterdam: University of Rotterdam. Arnel, T. (2011). Workspaces of the Future. Facility Perspectives, 5(2), 2. Baird, G., Christie, L., Ferris, J., Goguel, C., & Oosterhoff, H. (2011). User percept

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