One of the region’s leading facilities management companies, Al Fajer Facilities Management (Al Fajer FM), makes a pledge to reduce its environmental footprint by 20% by the end of 2017, to support the 20th UAE National Environment Day.
Sustainability is a core pillar of Al Fajer FM’s operations. In 2016, the company implemented several initiatives to reduce water usage, reduce chemical usage, ensure correct disposal of used chemical containers and paints, and reduce the energy consumed throughout every department within the company.
Al Fajer FM is using the UAE Environment Day to kick-start a two-month training programme for all its staff – from cleaning operatives, MEP engineers, painters and drivers right through to office staff and management – to educate them to ‘Reduce, Recycle, Reuse’ – a training programme that not only ensures improved sustainability but makes strong business sense too.
Al Fajer FM CEO, Mr Mohammed Al Beloushi says: “Recently we have adopted a technology-based fleet management system across all company vehicles and have a planning team to map all routes of the company’s vehicles. Already over the last three months we have reduced fuel consumption by 16% through educating our drivers in better driving, switching off engines and adhering to planned routes, which also means less mileage. By continuing in these efficiencies, our target for 2017 is a 20% reduction in fuel usage, which in turn reduces our carbon emissions – this is part of Al Fajer FM’s contribution to making Dubai’s smog-free goal achievable.
“Within our operations, we are researching and identifying ways to improve our sustainability and environmental footprint. In the cleaning division, we have reduced water consumption in certain areas by up to 80% by switching to an efficient mopping system which kills 98.8% of bacteria without adding cleaning detergents; within our staff accommodation blocks, we have increased efficiencies within the kitchens to reduce fuel consumption by 23%. We have invested money to switch to main gas and establish main sewerage connections which means we are minimising heavy-industry vehicles on the roads visiting our premises.
“Throughout the months of February and March, we have a series of both compulsory and optional training sessions, running evenings and at the weekends. For every session attended, the certificates of attendance and skills competency will be awarded,” he added.
The month-long training programme, run by the company’s QHSE managers, HR teams, and guest-trainers will cover environment and sustainable subjects for departments, including ensuring the Landscaping teams are using and recommending to clients the best systems and practices for irrigation, mulching, and minimising water loss; the Pest Control teams are using the correct chemical dosing, as well as having already identified the latest chemicals that give optimum results with the least chemical usage. As part of the company’s 2017 sustainability commitment, new technology currently being tested includes a machine that will turn garden waste into compost within 48 hours.
Ongoing throughout the year, there is planned continuous training of employees in the accommodation camp on quality, health, safety, environment (QHSE) standards to upscale the current 3,700 staff on their social impact on the environment, such as how to save electricity by switching off lights and other electronic devices when not in use and making sure that they consciously keep their usage of water to a minimum.
Al Fajer FM is committed to the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda which focuses on improving the quality of air, preserving water resources, increasing the contribution of clean energy and implementing green growth plans.