Closing the Loop - BOMA Canada The Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate
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BOMA Canada
The Circular Economy Guide
for Commercial Real Estate
Closing
the Loop
This Guide is Sponsored by:
Copyright Acknowledgments
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada owns the trademark
on the cover of this document. Use or reproduction of this trademark is prohibited for
any purpose (except as part of an accurate reproduction of the entire document) unless
written permission is first obtained.
BOMA Canada would like to acknowledge
This document is subject to copyright protection. However, this document may be
and thank the members of Circular
reproduced free of charge in any format or media without requiring specific permission, Building Operations Working Group
with the exception of its reproduction in whole or in part, in any media or format that is
wholly or partially for the purpose of commercial gain. This permission is subject to the and our patrtners at the Recycling
material being reproduced accurately and not being used in a derogatory manner or in
a misleading context. If the material is being published or issued to others, the source
Council of Ontario & Circular Innovation
and copyright status must be acknowledged. The permission to reproduce copyright Council for their support and
protected material does not extend to any material in this document that is identified as
being the copyright of a third party. Authorization to reproduce such materials must be
participation in the development of this
obtained directly from the copyright holders concerned. initiative and resulting resources.
Disclaimer of Any Legal Liability
By reading this guide you hereby agree to abide, without restriction or limitation of
Bala Gnanam– BOMA Toronto
any kind whatsoever, by the terms of this disclaimer.
The Building Owners and Managers Association of Canada, including all of its officers, Ben Welch– Manulife Investment Management
directors, employees, advisors, consultants, committee members, task force members,
agents, volunteers and members (hereinafter collectively referred to as “BOMA”)
Emily Victoria Nield– EPIC Investment Services
has assembled the material in this document for the purpose of conveying how
the circular economy might apply in commercial and institutional real estate. The
information presented is solely and without exception, express or implied, for that
Jamie Gray-Donald– QuadReal Property Group
purpose. BOMA makes no express or implied representations, warranties, guarantees,
or promises, that the information presented is current or accurate at any point in Jean-Michel Champagne– HEC Montréal
time, be it presently, previously, or at any time in the future. The information in these
documents is not meant in any way to advocate, promote, or suggest any preferred Jo-Anne St. Godard– Recycling Council of Ontario &
method or methods for implementing circular economy opportunities in in commercial Circular Innovation Council
and institutional real estate. BOMA Canada always encourages its stakeholders to
retain independent professional advice in undertaking any activity that bears any risk
Jodi Houston– Recycling Council of Ontario &
of any kind whatsoever. The information provided is not a substitute for consulting
with an experienced and qualified professional.BOMA, its partners and affiliates or Circular
related organizations make no implied or express representation or warranty that the Innovation Council
information contained herein is without risk. Furthermore, absolutely none of these
parties accept any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions done or omitted in Nisha Agrawal– QuadReal Property Group
reliance, in whole or in part, on this written report or any of its contents or inferences.
The same parties disclaim all responsibility or liability to any person, whether in contract,
Paulina Pisarek– Sustainable Development Officer
equity, tort, statute, or law of any kind, for any direct or indirect losses, illness or injury, or
damage, be it general, incidental, consequential or punitive or any other kind of damage,
relating to the use of this Guide. Philippe Bernier– JLL Canada
The information in these documents is not intended to cover every situation. Details
Steven Pacifico– EPIC Investment Services
which may be relevant to a user’s particular circumstances may have been omitted.
Users are advised to seek professional advice before applying any information contained
in this document to their own particular circumstances. Users should always obtain
BOMA Canada Staff
appropriate professional advice on security, legal, structural, organizational, personal,
proprietary, public health, professional or any other issues involved. Hazel Sutton– BOMA Canada
The information is presented “as is.” This Guide or any part thereof, including without
limitation, any appendices or related toolkits and/or resources, is not intended in any
Victoria Papp– BOMA Canada
way, and is hereby expressly denied, to create any relationship of any kind whatsoever
or any duty of care between BOMA (or any of the persons or parties included in BOMA Michael Parker– Citrus Creative
as defined) and any other person or entity including without limiting the generality of the
foregoing any person or entity that may read, review, use or become aware of this guide Natalie Rekai– Citrus Creative
or any part thereof (collectively referred to as the “user” throughout this disclaimer). The
user also acknowledges that no such relationship is created between it and the parties
associated with this document’s development, production or dissemination. The user also
BOMA Canada sincerely regrets any errors or
further acknowledges that this disclaimer prevents any possible duty of care owed by omissions in the list above, and thanks all our
BOMA to the user from ever arising, either by rule of law, equity, or statute whatsoever volunteers and contributors for their support.
including any obligation to keep this information current, validate it, ensure its accuracy,
or update it in any way and that the use of this guide in whole or in part, cannot form the
basis for any possible legal claims or proceedings whatsoever as against BOMA.
Welcome to our Guide
This Guide will lay the groundwork for what it means to adopt circular economy
principles in commercial real estate. This guide will:
Introduce core definitions and Provide an overview of building Explore the potential for
concepts operations opportunities immediate impact
It represents the first of many BOMA Canada tools and resources that will investigate the numerous
opportunities that exist for building managers to participate in the circular economy. Stay tuned!
Table of Contents
Letter from the President 2
A Call to Action 3
What is a Circular Economy? 4
What are the Benefits of a Circular Economy for Buildings? 6
Putting Circular Economy Principles into Action 8
Next Steps for the Industry 9
Appendix A: Circular Self-Assessment and Areas of Opportunity 10
Appendix B: Glossary 16
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 1
We are proud to present the BOMA Canada
Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real
Estate – an important tool for property owners
and managers seeking to address pollution and
waste.
Thanks to the efforts of dedicated building management
teams, buildings are now more energy and water
efficient than ever, generating fewer carbon emissions As engineers, doing more with
and promoting occupant health and wellbeing. However, less is part of our DNA at
waste remains a persistent challenge. A Circular Dyson. We use a concept
Economy approach to property management and called “lean engineering” to
building operations provides real solutions to this issue inform our actions to reduce our impact
while supporting a healthier and more regenerative and that of our products. In our
environment. pioneering technology, this means
engineering products that use fewer
With this Guide, BOMA Canada recognizes the critical
role our industry can take in eliminating pollution,
resources, that are long lasting, high
reducing waste and building a more resilient economy. performing and efficient. For example,
By favouring practices that retain the value of a resource our hand dryers are engineered to help
throughout its entire life cycle, building managers and business achieve their sustainability
owners can reduce their operating and maintenance goals and our lighting products are
costs while delivering on their strategic sustainability highly efficient and long lasting. We are
objectives. introducing more challenging
serviceability requirements and
Strategies outlined in this Guide will help BOMA members
specifications into our products and
understand and achieve the benefits of participating in a
improving our repairability infrastructure
circular economy. Tangible next steps can be identified by
taking the Circular Self-Assessment in the Appendix which
to recycle and reuse as many parts and
will help you identify future areas of opportunity. materials as possible. Across our own
offices and spaces, we prefer to restore
We are excited about this next frontier for building our old buildings around the world and
excellence and will be working closely with you, our build pioneering low energy spaces that
members, as we move forward to ensure that BOMA celebrate good, sustainable engineering.
Canada’s future resources continue to support transition We are committed to reducing waste in
to a circular economy. our offices and powering as many of our
sites as possible with renewable, clean
Sincerely,
energy.
Tom Crawford,
Global Director of Sustainability at Dyson
Benjamin Shinewald
President & CEO,
BOMA Canada
2 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate
A Call to Action
Waste has long been considered an inevitable by-product Key stakeholders are also taking notice. Tenants
of the human consumption of goods and services as well are beginning to work with building managers to
as an inescapable reality of modern life. As the volume find responsible and innovative solutions to waste
of waste generated grows every year, currently sitting management. Likewise, investors are increasingly looking
at 7-10 billion tonnes per annum, so to has general for solutions that support long term value creation. It is
awareness of the extent and importance of the issue1. The becoming evident that awareness is growing on how to
need to shift our perspective on waste has never been improve the resource productivity of commercial real
more critical. estate while responding to market demand from varying
stakeholders with increasing levels of sophistication.
While significant efforts have been taken to reduce the
amount of waste sent to landfill, this remains a significant This BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide is a first step
challenge due to the sheer complexity of the problem – in helping our member firms begin their journey towards
recycling abilities vary by municipality and the presence adopting circular economic practices in their assets. To
of a post-consumer market for diverted materials is not that end, BOMA will continue to work with the commercial
guaranteed. real estate industry, various levels of governments,
academics, and other key stakeholders to ensure that
Building owners and managers have recognized the this work is as meaningful as possible to accelerate the
environmental, social, and economic benefits of reducing transition towards a Circular Economy.
the amount of waste being generated. They are seeking
solutions to achieve ambitious reduction targets by
questioning the very concept of waste, embracing a
concept called “Circular Economy”. Put simply, in a
circular economy, waste is not a by-product that must be
disposed at the end of its life but rather a resource that
continues to generate value. 2
Adopting circular economy practices within building operations
and management can lead to the following benefits:
Reduction in Decrease in Engaged tenants Innovation and Mitigate exposure
operating costs procurement and and employees differentiation to risk
disposal costs
1 S2 Partnership Limited, 2017. Waste Not, Want Not in the Commercial Real Estate Sector
2 Idem.
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 3
What is a Circular Economy?
Even when we try to maximize the use of a given product,
it may still end up in a landfill. This can change if we start
to adopt the core principles of a circular economy. Also
referred to as “CE”, “circularity” or “circular thinking”, it
Did you know?
promotes an economic state where resources are kept Annual global waste production will
in a continuous cycle of use so resources are no longer increase by 70% if current conditions
extracted and existing products are reused or recycled, persist, according to the World Bank 5
avoiding the very need for final disposal. 3
A circular economy is based on three principles:
Circular economy contrasts with the existing “take-make-
waste” linear model which is associated with significant
consumption of materials, energy, and water.
The goal of a circular economy is to keep products
and materials in use for as long as possible. Products
are therefore designed to last, to be reused, repaired,
and remanufactured. The material components of the
product can be disassembled and re-introduced into the
Design out waste and pollution
production loop to become new products, reducing our
need for landfills. The value of the resource is therefore
retained during its entire life cycle, eliminating the very
concept of waste. This economic model favours the use of
renewable resources and does not depend on continuous
resource extraction.
The circular economy drives performance and innovation
by making greater use of its physical assets, all while
protecting the critical services provided by nature such as
Keep products and materials in use food and freshwater. 4
Regenerate natural systems
3 BRE, 2019. The circular economy – Under construction
4 Accenture, 2014. Circular Advantage: Innovative Business Models and Technologies to Create Value in a World without limits to Growth
5 The World Bank, 2018. Press Release: Global Waste to Grow by 70 Percent by 2050 Unless Urgent Action is Taken: World Bank Report
4 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate
Did you know?
While recycling plays a role in CE, it is only one of
the processes that may be applied to a material.
Most materials decrease in value every time they are
recycled, leading to the concept of “downcycling”.
Eventually, the material or product will end up in a
landfill.
Repairing, upgrading, and remanufacturing are some
of the ways through which the value of the original
material can be continuously retained.
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 5What are the Benefits of a Circular Economy for Buildings?
Circular economy, and the notion that we cannot continue to deplete resources indefinitely, is now at the forefront of
discussions for those who design and operate buildings. The benefits of designing out waste and keeping materials in
use are now more clearly understood. 6
Some of the benefits of a circular economy in real estate include:
1 Reduce operation and maintenance costs 4 Increase occupant health, comfort, and
performance
Achieve savings by implementing circular
design principles during construction, extending Selecting materials and products for use inside
equipment life through preventative maintenance the building that meet circular criteria will
and repair, and reduce disposal costs thanks to improve indoor air quality such as by reducing the
supplier take-back models and repairability. concentration of pollutants in offices, leading to
improvements in workforce performance.
2 Deliver strategic sustainability objectives
Integrating circularity into ongoing operations 5 Engagement opportunities with occupants
will support the organization’s achievement of The circular economy provides a new and exciting
UN Sustainability Development Goals, further framework to engage tenants and occupants to
reinforcing the organization’s environmental and consider new opportunities for creating positive
social commitments. impact.
3 Mitigate risk 6 Enhance innovation, long-term value, and
competitiveness
Selecting products that are made from recyclable
or renewable materials reduces the risks of Integrating circular economy principles into overall
price volatility associated with extracting virgin strategic direction will foster a culture of innovation
resources and minimizes the organization’s in the organization, highlighting its leadership in the
associated carbon impact. industry and helping to attract new investments,
tenants, and staff who share the same priorities.
A new generation of investors, tenants, and building owners and managers are highly aware of the environmental and
social costs of existing practices. Using a circular economy model will provide commercial real estate with a framework
for reaching ecological and social goals while simultaneously enhancing economic value.
6 Greengage Environmental, 2019. Putting Circular Economy Principles into Practice
6 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateBOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 7
Putting Circular Economy Principles into Action
What does circular economy mean for buildings? Since Many of these areas of opportunity focus on the materials,
building managers oversee all building operations, goods, or products used in the building. By emphasizing
they have considerable influence and are well placed to maintenance and repair, and by selecting materials and
integrate circular economy practices into their processes. products that can have a useful end of life, it becomes
possible to minimize the amount of waste generated.
The following areas provide an opportunity for putting
circular economy principles into action: 7
Construction/Renovation/Retrofit Food & Catering
• Select building materials and components that are • Select suppliers that use locally sourced ingredients; find
made from recycled content; can be dissassembled; value from food and food waste (e.g. food banks, farms)
returned for remanufacture • Innovate with suppliers and tenants to offer waste free
• Document materials used in construction including service options
recommended destination in a second life (a “material • Create centralized collection point for used take away
passport”) containers to return to retailer
Utilities Office Furniture & Supplies
• Reduce water consumption by using grey water or • Select products and supplies that are durable; can
rainwater in toilets & landscaping be repaired or refurbished; are modular and can
• Optimize energy use through building automation be re-configured; are designed for disassembly or
systems (sensors, metering, BAS, BIM) remanufacture
• Integrate renewable energy technologies such as • Create opportunities for extending the life of furniture
combined PV and solar hot water, small-scale biodigestion through re-use such as by donation or sharing programs
Building Operations, Repair, and Maintenance
Landscaping & Site
• Select equipment made from materials with a low
• Conserve habitat and biodiversity; restore native flora
environmental impact over the full lifecycle of the
and habitats
building; are durable; are high efficiency
• Encourage food production on-site, also supporting
• Implement a preventative maintenance program to
employee engagement and education
prolong the life of materials & equipment
Waste Management Occupant Experience and Engagement
• Reduce waste creation by procuring materials that are • Provide occupants with opportunities to engage with
more durable; can be repaired; can be adapted to new uses sharing economy such as by providing space for a tool
library; exchange spaces; repair cafes; car/bicycle sharing
• Change procurement criteria to require vendor take-back
• Create a collection point for certain materials such as
• Support reverse logistics to recover and return textiles, to be distributed to partner organizations for
materials to manufacturers re-use or re-manufacture
• Avoid material waste by procuring services instead of • Explore new lease agreements upon renewal or tenant
products themselves (e.g. purchasing lighting instead of changes that align tenant and building manager’s
the lamps themselves) circularity objectives
8 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateNext Steps for the Industry
There are many ways that building owners and managers • Buildings as enablers & anchors: Facilitating the
can benefit from implementing elements of a circular creation of social value and equity by providing spaces
economy. The areas of opportunity include: where occupants can engage in sharing and repairing
activities
• Circular Procurement: The process of purchasing
works, goods or services that keep resources within • Buildings as regenerators: Supporting the restoration
the supply chain and avoid creating waste across the of native flora and habitats around the building and
product’s life cycle creating new forms of energy for the community (e.g.,
waste recovery processes, on-site renewables)
• Optimize waste management: Working with suppliers to
enhance the availability of reliable waste management The circular economy provides significant opportunities
data for creating long term value and reduce operating costs.
Building managers interested in starting the process are
• Buildings as a “materials bank”: Supporting invited to complete the circular building operations self-
construction projects that select materials that are assessment in Appendix A.
modular or can be disassembled for re-use
Did you know?
Circular economy has the potential to deliver on the global 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United
Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Specifically, asset owners and managers can help move forward the following SDGs:
7 RICS, 2018. Circular economy: role of facilities manager
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 9Appendix A:
Circular Self-Assessment and Areas of Opportunity
For each area of opportunity, identify existing strengths and consider future areas of opportunity.
Areas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Building һ Equipment is selected for һ Procure equipment made with materials with low
operations, repair, maximum efficiency embodied emissions
and maintenance һ Procure equipment made with materials with low
environmental impact over lifecycle of building
һ Procure equipment that is durable and repairable
һ Equipment use generates no emissions (e.g., fuel switching)
һ Configure equipment to minimize waste of resources
(e.g., task lighting vs area lighting)
һ Develop procurement templates (e.g., RFP, SOW) that
incorporate elements of circular economy
Building һ Suppliers are selected һ Purchase products as services instead of standalone items
to minimize their impact
operations, repair, һ Select performance contracts to ensure efficiency
and maintenance across the supply chain
(e.g., avoid resource һ Select suppliers that support take back models
extraction and use of һ Develop procurement templates (e.g., RFP, SOW) that
harmful chemicals; fair incorporate elements of circular economy
labour practices)
Building һ A preventative һ Conduct ongoing improvements to building envelope
operations, repair, maintenance program
and maintenance has been implemented to
prolong life of materials/
equipment
Building һ Energy and water һ Provide and participate in training focused on
operations, repair, efficiency training is maximizing efficient use of technology
provided to building
and maintenance һ Provide and participate in training on understanding
operations staff
system efficiency (optimizing system based on
configuration and equipment selection)
һ Provide and participate in training on future trends
(smart buildings)
Building һ Paperless billing and/or һ Regularly review ongoing operational practices (e.g.,
operations, repair, monitoring (e.g., through work order details, contractual obligations) to ensure
and maintenance apps) is requested they meet best practices
10 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateAreas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Utilities һ Energy use is optimized һ Purchase products as services instead of standalone items
through building automation
һ Select performance contracts to ensure efficiency
systems (e.g., sensors,
metering, BAS, BIM, etc.)
Utilities һ Potable water is used һ Implement grey water or rainwater collection and use
efficiently (e.g., toilets and landscaping)
һ Water-conserving
measures are
implemented (e.g.,
aerators, timers)
Utilities һ Low carbon energy һ Integrate renewable energy technologies such as
sources are selected / A combined photovoltaic and solar hot water, small-scale
switch has been made to bio-digestion, and electricity storage via batteries for
cleaner fuel types (e.g., emergency back-up power
natural gas to renewably
һ Purchase green energy through power purchase agreements
generated electricity)
Utilities һ Active heat recovery һ Include the financial impacts of potential carbon
strategies are implemented reductions into the evaluation and analysis of new
(e.g., ventilation air heat energy efficiency projects
recovery, wastewater
heat recovery, heat pump
systems)
Construction/ һ Building materials һ Draft SOWs that require that materials and components:
are selected for their
Renovation/ һ Can be repurposed
Retrofit environmental properties
һ Can be returned for remanufacture into the same or
a different product (e.g., drywall)
һ Are designed for disassembly
һ Are made using bio-based materials or bio-mass
waste products (e.g., sawdust)
һ Are made from recycled content (e.g., steel, gypsum)
Construction/ һ Management program һ Document materials used in construction, including their
Renovation/ has been developed to recommended destination in a second life (a “material
Retrofit minimize construction, passport”)
renovation, and demolition
waste being sent to landfill
Construction/ һ Environmental renovation/ һ Design buildings and space to be able to flex with
Renovation/ fit-up criteria are included demand, modifying the space to fit different needs
Retrofit in green leases (commercial, residential, education)
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 11Appendix A (cont’d)
Areas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Food and catering һ Suppliers are selected һ Select suppliers that:
who demonstrate
һ Use regenerative food growing methods
commitment to
sustainability һ Use locally sourced ingredients
һ Prevent avoidable food waste
һ Find value from food and food waste, such as
through partnerships with local food banks, farms.
һ Avoid material waste (e.g., packaging)
Food and catering һ Retailers are engaged һ Innovate with suppliers and tenants to offer waste free
in an environmental service options
procurement program
һ Create centralized collection point for used take away
containers to return to retailer
һ Collaborate with food retailers to source recyclable and
municipally compostable cutlery/plates
Waste һ Initiatives are һ Select products that
implemented to decrease
management һ Are more durable
the amount of waste
generated һ Can be repaired
һ Can be adapted to new uses
һ Can be remanufactured or refurbished
һ Procure services instead of products themselves (e.g.,
purchasing lighting instead of the lamps themselves).
һ Develop waste reduction and education programs on the
importance of valuing materials throughout their entire
lifecycle
Waste һ Waste diversion programs һ Change procurement criteria to require vendor take-back
are implemented
management һ Select suppliers that support reverse logistics to recover
and return materials to manufacturers
һ Identify partners who can use certain waste streams as
their inputs
һ Use local digestors and other clean technologies that
capture the value of organic waste streams, such as bio-
digestion, heat recovery, mineral extraction and compost
for on-site food production or general soil amendment.
12 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateAreas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Waste һ Final disposition / һ Improve data collection (e.g., waste types, amounts,
management destination of all materials meters) to inform public policy/initiatives and calculate
leaving the building is GHG avoidance
identified
һ Work with waste haulers to improve data transparency
or add weight reporting requirements to contracts
һ Collaborate with other building managers to provide
consistency to waste haulers
Office furniture һ A green / sustainable һ Select products and supplies that:
procurement program is
and supplies һ Are durable
implemented
һ Can be repaired or refurbished
һ Are modular and can be re-configured
һ Are designed for disassembly or remanufacture
һ Use materials efficiently
һ Are created using 100% recycled content (e.g., paper
products)
һ Hold a third-party certification for disassembly
һ Select furniture/supply leasing services
һ Request that products arrive in minimal packaging that
can be recycled or reused
һ Collaborate with other building managers to share items
between buildings or spaces, and/or to purchase in bulk
to reduce packaging and emissions from shipping
Office furniture һ Re-furbished furniture and һ Create opportunities for extending the life of furniture
and supplies supplies are selected and through re-use such as by donation, sharing, or re-
preferred selling programs
Office furniture һ Maintain warranty һ Take advantage of product repair, disassembly, and
and supplies documents for furniture takeback services instead of outright disposal
һ For modular items, repair or replace just the parts that
require it
Landscaping and һ Landscaping practices that һ Conserve or restore native flora
support ecosystem health
Site һ Prevent soil erosion
are implemented
һ Select landscaping products that do not contain any
harmful chemicals
һ Design landscaped areas to require little or no irrigation
(e.g., xeriscaping)
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 13Appendix A (cont’d)
Areas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Landscaping and һ Biodiversity and ecological һ Encourage food production on-site, supporting employee
Site resilience are supported engagement, education, and mental health
Occupant һ Occupants are engaged in һ Provide occupants with opportunities to engage with sharing
experience and waste diversion initiatives economy such as by providing space for a tool library,
engagement exchange spaces, repair cafes, car/bicycle sharing
һ Create a collection point for certain materials such as
textiles, to be distributed to partner organizations for
reuse or remanufacture
Occupant һ Occupants align with һ Align occupants with circular objectives
building’s environmental
experience and һ Allow occupants to participate in decision-making
engagement criteria through lease
agreements һ Support/select retailers/tenants with aligned CE
business models such as stores that sell products made
from recycled content, reusing materials, valorizing food
waste
Information һ A sustainable һ Select products and supplies that:
procurement program for
Communication һ Are durable
Technology (ICT) ICT is implemented
һ Can be repaired or refurbished
һ Can be upgraded with new components
һ Are designed for disassembly or remanufacture
һ Use materials efficiently
һ Are created using a minimum percentage of recycled
content (e.g., plastics and metal alloys)
һ Hold a third-party certification or ecolabel (e.g., EPEAT)
һ Are energy efficient
һ Have a low carbon footprint
һ Reduce the use of hazardous substances
Information һ Suppliers that offer repair һ Select suppliers based on transparency of supply chain
Communication and refurbishment are for:
selected and preferred
Technology (ICT) һ Environmental impact of operations (material
extraction, manufacturing)
һ Labor and human rights records/commitments
һ Select suppliers that support reverse logistics and
include end-of-life management in the contract
14 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateAreas of Starting Point: Next Steps
Opportunity Existing Strengths
Cleaning һ Green cleaning program һ Select products and supplies that:
with third-party certified
һ Are made from non-toxic ingredients
products and supplies is
implemented һ Hold third-party certifications
һ Have minimal packaging or 100% recyclable
packaging
һ Use materials efficiently
һ Select cleaning equipment that:
һ Are durable
һ Can be repaired or refurbished
һ Are designed for disassembly or remanufacture
һ Use materials efficiently
һ Are created using recycled content
Cleaning һ Training is provided to һ Develop a program focused on continuous improvement
janitorial staff on the where specific custodial staff are tasked with testing out
benefits of using specific new environmentally friendly technologies and products,
equipment / supplies subsequently sharing their experiences to increase their
as per recommended adoption
specifications
Fleet һ Low-carbon transportation һ Support and encourage subscription models to sharing
options (e.g., electric services for bicycles or cars (e.g., through subsidy)
vehicles) are supported
һ Offer staff membership to sharing services
and encouraged
һ Develop partnerships with and offer resources to (space,
electricity access, internet connection) organizations and
businesses that offer low-carbon transportation options
(e.g., charging stations for electric bicycles, dedicated
parking spaces for car-sharing)
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 15Appendix B:
Glossary
Circular economy:
Looking beyond the current take-make-waste extractive industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine
growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the
consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system. Underpinned by a transition to renewable
energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:
1) Design out waste and pollution; 2) Keep products and materials in use; 3) Regenerate natural systems.8
Design for disassembly:
Design principle that calls for the end-of-life options of how the product, components and materials can be
deconstructed.9
Design for repairability:
Design principle that calls for products to be manufactured using fasteners, materials and processes that allow
them to be easily be fixed.10
Downcycling:
Turning materials from one or more used products into a new product with lower quality.11
Reuse/Redistribute:
Technical products and materials can also be reused multiple times and redistributed to new users in their original
form or with little enhancement or change. Marketplaces such as eBay are proof of this already well-established
approach.12
Refurbish/Remanufacture:
Remanufacturing and refurbishment are two similar, yet slightly different, processes of restoring value to a product.
When a product is remanufactured it is disassembled to the component level and rebuilt (replacing components
where necessary) to as-new condition with the same warranty as a new product. Refurbishment is largely a cosmetic
process whereby a product is repaired as much as possible, usually without disassembly and the replacement of
components.13
8 Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017. Circular Economy Concept
9 Circular Economy Practitioner Guide, 2018. Glossary
10 Idem.
11 Forum for the Future. Circular Business Models
12 Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017. The Circular Economy in Detail
13 Idem.
16 BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real EstateRecycle:
Recycling is the process of reducing a product all the way back to its basic material level, thereby allowing those
materials (or a portion of them at least) to be remade into new products. While this is undoubtedly and important
process in a circular economy, the loss of embedded labour and energy, the necessary costs to remake products
entirely, and the inevitable material losses mean that it is a lower value process than those closer to the centre of
the system diagram, such as reuse and remanufacturing.14
Regenerative Design:
A whole systems approach to creating solutions that offer back more than is taken in their creation by exploring the
way natural systems solve problems and creating things that are interconnected with natural systems.15
Renewable materials:
Materials that are replenished at a rate equal to or greater than the rate of depletion. Renewable materials include,
for example, cotton, hemp, maize, wood, wool, leather, agricultural by-products, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and sea
salt. To be renewable such materials (where relevant) must be produced using regenerative practices or, in a
transition phase, using sustainable practices.16
Service:
A service is something a company provides, and the customer pays for, but there is no transfer of material
ownership. A service cannot be transported or stored and only exists while the provider is supplying it and the
customer is using it. For example, refurbishing is a service. There are three types, dependent on whether there are
material flows, and who owns them:
1) Services with material flows, where your business owns the materials (e.g., a company that owns and leases
furniture); 2) Services with material flows, where your business doesn’t own the materials (e.g., a company that
services IT hardware owned by others); 3) Services without material flows (e.g., consultancy).17
Sharing model:
Business model based on the sharing of under-used assets as a service.18
Waste:
Unwanted materials or substances. In a circular economy, waste is designed out.
14 Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017. The Circular Economy in Detail
15 Leyla Acaroglu, 2018. Quick Guide to Circular Economy Business Strategies
16 Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Circulytics Definitions List
17 Idem.
18 Circular Economy Practitioner Guide, 2018. Glossary
BOMA Canada Circular Economy Guide for Commercial Real Estate 17Closing the Loop
For further information about the guide,
please contact:
BOMA Canada
1 Dundas Street West, Toronto
Ontario, Canada M5G 1Z3
info@bomacanada.ca
May 2021
Ce rapport est disponible en français.
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