Building Maintenance Choices: Sustainable vs Conventional Materials, Chemicals, and Equipment

Traditional practices in maintenance

Prioritize first cost, availability, and familiar usage without considering long-term impacts like indoor air quality and energy use.

Green (sustainable) practices

Aim to meet functional goals while reducing negative impacts on health and the environment over the product's life.

Life-cycle cost (LCC)

Total cost including purchase price, labor, downtime, energy/water, replacement frequency, and disposal.

Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

Factors affecting indoor air quality such as ventilation, odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dust, and microbial growth.

Waste reduction

Minimizing waste through reuse, repair, and reducing packaging and single-use consumables.

Resource stewardship

The practice of managing resources responsibly, including the use of recycled content and sustainably sourced materials.

Operational efficiency

Using equipment and practices that minimize energy and resource use, enhancing maintenance effectiveness.

Durability in green selection

Prioritizes materials that last longer and require less frequent replacement or repair.

Human exposure consideration

Evaluating materials based on their emissions and effects on indoor air quality.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

Reports that summarize the environmental impact of a product throughout its life cycle.

Modular components

Design elements that allow for easier repair and reduce waste by avoiding disposal.

Health and safety in chemicals

Preference for products with lower toxicity, corrosivity, and environmental impact.

Efficacy matched to task

Using the right level of chemical strength suited to the cleaning or maintenance task.

Right-sizing the chemical

Choosing the smallest effective quantity of a chemical to minimize waste and exposure.

High-filtration vacuums

Equipment with superior filtration that captures fine dust and allergens, improving indoor air quality.

Variable-speed motors

Energy-efficient motors that adjust power based on the task at hand, reducing energy consumption.

Acute toxicity

The level of immediate harm a substance can cause upon exposure.

Flammability

A measure of how easily a substance can ignite and contribute to fire risks.

Sustainable equipment selection

Choosing maintenance tools based on durability, efficiency, emissions, and operational impact.

Greenwashing

Vague marketing claims about environmental benefits that lack substantial evidence.

Occupant sensitivities

Considerations regarding how maintenance practices affect the health and comfort of building occupants.

Cure time

The period required for a material or chemical to reach its optimal performance before use.

Training and controls in implementation

Essential practices that ensure proper usage of products to achieve desired sustainability outcomes.

Preventive maintenance

Routine practices to maintain equipment, ensuring efficiency and longevity while minimizing waste.

Source control vs symptom masking

Addressing root causes of issues rather than merely covering up problems through temporary solutions.

Integrated maintenance approach

Managing maintenance materials, chemicals, and equipment together to achieve better sustainability outcomes.

First cost vs life-cycle cost

Short-term purchase price compared to the total long-term cost and impacts of a product or practice.

Compatibility of materials

Ensuring selected materials work well with existing structures and do not cause issues.