In episode 314 of Workplace Innovator, host Mike Petrusky speaks with Trevor Langdon, CEO at Green Standards, a global workplace decommissioning firm that measures and maximizes environmental, social, and governance (ESG) value. They cover the importance of understanding the circular economy in workplaces and the significant role facility managers play in reaching sustainability goals. And while they look at how technology is an important part of the solution, they also explore the human factor. Landon shares advice and insights into circularity and why facility professionals should be proactive when extending asset lifecycles, prioritizing reuse, and turning end-of- life materials into new inputs.
Agenda
- Concept of the circular workplace
- Role of technology in building the circular economy
- Importance of the human element in facilitating the circular economy
- Impact of artificial intelligence on the circular economy
What you need to know: Workplace takeaways
Takeaway 1: The circular economy is a critical element of sustainability and effective workplace management
The circular economy aims to keep workplace materials at their maximum value for as long as possible, reducing waste. Unlike the linear economy’s model of take-make-waste, the circular economy emphasizes reusing and recycling materials. The result is a reduction in the need for new raw materials.
“The core of what we focus on is trying to keep all of the materials that we encounter in a workplace each day at their maximum value for as long as possible,” Langdon says.
But it takes planning, and the more, the better.
“There is definitely a direct correlation between how much of a planning window you can have on a project like this and how successful of a result or an outcome you can have,” he explains.
Takeaway 2: Organizations should focus on both technology and human elements in circular economy efforts
Technology is an essential part of the solution, but it isn’t a complete solution by itself. The human element is also important when managing the transition toward a circular economy, and even in a fully digitized world, physical project management remains crucial.
“Our feeling on technology is that it is an absolutely critical part of the solution and building out the circular economy. But it definitely is not a silver bullet that just takes care of everything,” Langdon says. “People are so, so, so important, and I don’t see that changing.”
Takeaway 3: Building a collaborative community is crucial for the success of the circular economy
There’s a need for a collaborative community around the topic of the circular economy. Accelerating progress comes from sharing best practices and experiences.
“I think together we will get there faster,” Langdon says, and he encourages facility managers to become part of a wider conversation around circularity.
“The role of FM’s there is obvious and huge and not going away.”
Workplace management insights
- The circular economy aims to extend life cycles, reuse, and recycle products, and when a product becomes obsolete, it aims to disassemble it and turn its materials into inputs for the next generation of products.
- The circular economy is a global need and is not confined to any one city or continent.
- Planning for projects can lead to better outcomes in reuse and recycling.
- While technology is a critical part of the solution in building the circular economy, it is not a silver bullet. The human aspect of workplace projects is equally important.
Listen to the full podcast here.
Go deeper. Dive into more episodes of Eptura’s Workplace Innovator podcast.
Connect with Trevor on linkedin
Download the “State of the Circular Workplace Report”
Learn about Green Standards.
Learn more about Eptura
Connect with Mike on Linkedin
