Sustainability in facilities management is no longer defined solely by operational practices. Increasingly, organizations are evaluating not only the environmental impact of the products they bring into their buildings, but also how those products perform throughout the course of their life.
For facilities managers, this shift means evaluating products not only for their upfront cost, but also for their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle.
A life cycle approach evaluates a product’s environmental impact across every stage of its journey, from raw material sourcing and manufacturing, to transportation, use, and end-of-life management. By considering each stage, facilities can make more informed decisions that support long-term sustainability goals while maintaining the performance and reliability required for daily operations.
Looking Beyond the Purchase
Not all products deliver the same environmental benefits. Looking beyond marketing claims to understand how a product is designed, manufactured, used, and managed at the end of its life cycle can provide a more complete picture of its overall environmental impact. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is one of the most effective tools for evaluating a product’s environmental impact across its entire lifespan. These assessments examine factors such as resource consumption, energy use, emissions, and waste generation to identify opportunities to improve environmental performance.
Life cycle information can be a valuable resource when comparing products and suppliers. A product with a slightly higher upfront cost may deliver greater long-term value if it reduces waste, provides durability, or supports a facility’s specific sustainability objectives throughout its use. This perspective is important as organizations face increasing pressure from employees, customers, and stakeholders to demonstrate measurable environmental progress.
The “Take, Make, Dispose” Model
Traditional product life cycles often follow a linear model. Raw materials are extracted then products are manufactured, used, and eventually discarded. This “take, make, dispose” approach consumes more than 100 billion tons of raw materials each year, yet only 6.9% of those materials are cycled back into the global economy. As a result, valuable resources are lost, contributing to resource depletion, increased waste, and higher greenhouse gas emissions. However, the circular economy focuses on keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.
Adopting a circular approach means looking beyond a product’s initial cost and considering the value it delivers throughout its entire life cycle. The decisions made during procurement can influence everything from resource consumption and waste generation to how often products need to be replaced. By prioritizing products that are designed to maximize resources and minimize waste, facilities managers can reduce a facility’s environmental footprint while supporting efficiency and long-term sustainability objectives.
This approach helps organizations evaluate sustainability as an ongoing process rather than a single purchasing decision. By considering how products can support a circular economy, organizations can make informed decisions that benefit both daily operations and the environment.
Bringing Life Cycle Thinking into Procurement Decisions
Procurement decisions play a critical role in advancing sustainability strategies. Facilities managers are often responsible for selecting products that balance performance, cost, and environmental impact.
A sustainable procurement approach evaluates measurable attributes such as third-party certifications, material composition, manufacturing practices, and end-of-life considerations. In fact, a recent survey revealed 70% of in-house service providers are actively engaging in sustainability initiatives such as pursuing environmental certifications and adopting green-certified products. This highlights the growing importance of integrating sustainable practices in facility operations and decision-making.
Material Choices
When evaluating material choices, products made with responsibly sourced, recycled, or renewable materials can help reduce reliance on finite resources and support more sustainable supply chains. Selecting materials thoughtfully helps conserve valuable materials from production through end use.
Product Durability and Efficiency
Products designed for long-term performance and efficient resource consumption can help facilities reduce waste, improve operational efficiency, and limit the need for frequent replacements. Durability is a key consideration when evaluating a product’s overall life cycle impact.
End-of-Life Considerations
Sustainability does not end when a product reaches the end of its useful life. Understanding how products are managed at the end of their life can help facilities develop more effective waste reduction strategies and support a more circular approach to resource management. Considering factors such as recyclability, reuse opportunities, and disposal impacts can help keep materials out of landfills and in circulation and reduce landfill waste.
Small Decisions Can Create a Larger Impact
Facilities manage thousands of daily interactions with products, from cleaning supplies and consumables to building systems and maintenance materials. While a single purchasing decision may seem small, the cumulative impact across a large facility portfolio can be significant.
Sustainability is not achieved through one product, one initiative, or one department. It’s built through a series of informed choices made throughout an organization. By considering the full life cycle impact of the products they use every day, facilities teams can help drive progress toward a more resource-efficient future.
By incorporating life cycle considerations and circular economy principles into purchasing decisions, facilities managers can make decisions that support more sustainable operations while aligning with broader overall organizational environmental goals.
Tahnie Gilliland is a marketing specialist at Sofidel America. With a background in education, she brings a passion for continuous learning and growth to every role. As a marketer, she thrives on tackling challenges, solving problems, and working collaboratively to deliver results.