Page 30 - CIJ Nov 2023 Digital Edition

Facility ManageMent

A Roadmap: Strategies for Achieving Net

Zero in Facilities Management

acilities Management Case Study: Saahas journey toward achieving Net
(FM) is at the confluence Zero. Emphasising energy
of operational efficiency Zero Waste sustainability, the company has
and sustainability, Shobha Raghavan, Chief set a formidable goal to cut
Fmanaging buildings that Operating Officer at Saahas 50% of its Scope 1 and Scope
consume vast amounts of natural Zero Waste, a social enterprise, 2 emissions by 2030. This
resources such as energy, water, presents a case study on RMZ commitment is part of a broader
and materials. With 40% of an Corp., illustrating the practical strategy that includes substantial
organisation’s budget spent on implementation of waste investments in renewable energy
maintaining these facilities, management solutions. Saahas and the adoption of sustainable
the onus is on the FM teams Zero Waste operates a Zero practices across their operations.
to adopt practices that are both Waste Program, collaborating
economical and sustainable. with corporate entities and FM Praj Industries is innovating in
Saji C Sebastian, a seasoned service providers to achieve the field of bioenergy, exploring
professional in Real Estate & zero waste to landfill status. first and second-generation
Facilities Management, drawing Their approach includes ethanol, alongside compressed
attention to the urgency of a 4-step process: sensing, biogas, to diversify the energy
adopting sustainable practices visioning, prototyping, and mix and reduce reliance on
in FM. scaling. By identifying waste fossil fuels. This transition is
critical for reducing greenhouse
Drawing a parallel between management champions within gas emissions and promoting
a hotel’s kitchen and an office RMZ Corp., conducting a a circular economy. The
setting, Sebastian highlights comprehensive analysis of their company’s foray into renewable
that the quality and quantity of waste management practices, chemicals, particularly
waste generated are indicators and implementing targeted bioplastics, showcases
of efficiency and sustainability. interventions, significant their holistic approach to
Astonishingly, while 70% of progress was made. The results sustainability, addressing
office waste is recyclable, only were impressive, with waste both energy consumption and
7.5% is currently being recycled. to landfills reduced from 60% material use.
With an average office worker to 6% in one year, and 94% of
generating approximately 2 waste becoming recyclable. Their technologies have
kgs of solid waste per day, demonstrated potential for a
large offices with thousands Sustainability in 60-80% reduction in emissions,
of occupants contribute to a reflecting the significant impact
significant quantum of waste. To Energy: A Glimpse into of their initiatives beyond
address this, there is a call for Praj Industries Ltd. their immediate operations.
greater collaboration between Kulkarni’s insights underscore
SMEs in waste management and Mandar Kulkarni, Praj Industries’ role in driving
actual practitioners in the field, Lead- Sustainability, Praj industry-wide change, proving
fostering a mutual understanding Industries Ltd, a leader in that industrial progress and
of the challenges faced and the ethanol manufacturing, environmental stewardship can
solutions available. shared insights into their coexist.

Saji C Sebastian Shobha Raghavan Mandar Kulkarni

NOVEMBER 2023•Clean India Journal
30 www.cleanindiajournal.com