Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
For years, sustainability in manufacturing lived in slide decks, pledges, and long-range targets. As the industry moves into 2026, that era is ending, and what lies ahead is far more concrete, technical, and operational. Sustainability is no longer something companies or facilities promise; it is something they must prove. The industry is moving away from […]
The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the Green Schools National Network (GSNN) have announced the recipients of the 2026 Best of Green Schools Awards. The awards recognize 11 U.S. schools, districts, organizations, or individuals for advancing environmental stewardship, creating healthy learning environments, and promoting education for a sustainable future. “America’s students deserve […]
Water systems are among the most essential—and least visible—components of any facility. Pipes, valves, pumps, and recirculation loops work quietly behind walls and below floors, delivering water for sanitation, heating, cooling, and daily operations. Because these systems often function behind the scenes, they tend to receive less attention than HVAC or electrical systems—until a failure […]
Behind every high-performing building lies an unsung hero: the central plant. These mechanical nerve centers—clusters of chillers, boilers, pumps, and cooling towers—quietly provide heating and cooling to hospitals, airports, campuses, and other complex facilities. When everything hums along, hardly anyone gives them a second thought. But when a pump fails or a chiller trips, the […]
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the global developer of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the independent body that administers LEED certifications, have announced their annual Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED ranking outside the United States for 2025. While the U.S. remains the […]
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the organization behind the WELL healthy building certification standard, has revealed two new ratings designed to help real estate owners and operators deliver on investor and tenant demands for healthier buildings. Now open for enrollment, the WELL Real Estate Rating focuses on enhancing base building infrastructure while the WELL […]
Once on the Trump administration’s chopping block, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR program lives on after Congress recently approved $33 million to fund the program for fiscal year 2026. The bill, H.R. 6938, was signed into law on Jan. 23, following bipartisan approval from the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The […]
Five years into the remote work era, the push to bring employees back to the office continues. But the modern workplace can’t simply revert to its pre-pandemic state. With 14% of U.S. office space still vacant, return-to-office mandates remain a tough sell. In fact, 46% of employees have said they would consider leaving their job […]
It is the responsibility of manufacturing leadership to refine processes, make them leaner, and lower their facility’s carbon footprint—and to do that, they’ll need the help of facilities managers. Many conventional practices have become so embedded in the sector that their wastefulness is overlooked. It is time to think critically about how these procedures impact […]
2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for facilities managers as building performance standards (BPS) advance across key jurisdictions, specifically in the states of Colorado, Maryland, and Washington. These leaders play a vital role in shaping compliance strategies and driving long-term carbon and energy performance, transforming regulatory requirements into strategic investments that enhance […]