Sustainable choices and the desire to be green are increasingly important during the planning of any fit-out
There are many options around being green; there are small things that you can do, right through to creating an environment which strives for a Green Star accreditations and WELL certification.
The impact of these decisions can have long-lasting effects both on your team and how you are viewed externally as a company. As the desire to be green and make sustainable choices develops ever increasing global momentum and importance, we at JDV Projects are increasingly focused on our environmental responsibility, to ensure that the decisions we make today don’t have an adverse impact on our children’s’ futures.
There are many options around being green; there are small things that you can do, right through to creating an environment which strives for a Green Star accreditations and WELL certification. Your fit-out partners can guide and inform you on the sustainable opportunities and initiatives that could work for you. A few ideas to consider are:
Daylight in the workplace – There are many studies that show that those you work in a light and bright environment with access to natural sunlight are happier and healthier. The more daylight you can utilise by having the work areas around the office perimeter will save you money on lighting and energy.
Sensor activated lighting – Look into sensor activated lighting for areas with less foot traffic. Having lights on timers can also limit unnecessary spend and energy waste.
Follow-me printing & Recycling – Encourage your workforce to recycle. Many office now adopt a no rubbish bin policy at desks to encourage people to get out of their seats and go to the recycling bins. Follow me printing is an easy ways to ensure that nothing is printed that doesn’t need to be.
Regular audits on waste – We recommend regular audits on energy, water and resource waste so you can be aware of any changes you could make to improve your operations and reduce costs.
ISO certifications – Compliance to ISO certifications covers Environmental Management. It is a large undertaking but will support your systematic structure of Quality, Work Health & Safety and Environmental Management.
Technology – Conferencing systems are an easy way to reduce your travel footprint by making it easy to connect with clients and stakeholders.
End of trip facilities – By installing bike-racks or showers, you will be promoting wellbeing to your team and may reduce the number of people driving to work.
Office greenery – Plants in the workplace are not purely for the aesthetic. They work to reduce the number of chemicals in the air being recycled through your air-conditioning. CO2 can be reduced by as much as 50% as well as a reduction in the dust, bacteria and mold which would otherwise be inhaled by employees by introducing around 1 plant for every 3 people.
Check out our project for Hollard Insurance who installed one of the largest living green walls in Australia as a main focus on their central stairwell.
The Asia Pacific headquarters of MasterCard in North Sydney, a long-term client of JDV, was awarded a 4 Star Green Star Office As Built rating by the industry authority, the Green Building Council Australia. We partnered with several leading consultants to deliver and obtain this milestone certification, by embracing sustainability and sound environmental choices at every stage of a project cycle.