MATERIALS

The WELL Materials concept aims to reduce human exposure to hazardous building material ingredients through the restriction or elimination of compounds or products known to be toxic and the promotion of safer replacements. Building materials and products are not only an integral part of our lives but, unlike most consumer goods, have a much longer use phase, making their chemical composition, and potential impact on indoor air quality, significant.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

500 Collins was built around the early 1970’s, before materials that have been identified in recent years as hazardous such as asbestos and lead paint were prohibited. Hazardous materials surveys are regularly undertaken to identify, assess the risk and recommend control measures for nominated hazardous material. If any materials are identified with need for removal, this is actioned.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

500 Collins’ waste management program aims to avoid, reuse or recycle waste generated by the building and its occupants. The principles of the implemented program include: 

• Dedication of a waste storage area to facilitate collection, separation, and recycling of office consumables.
• Provision of recycling bins to assist tenants in separating, at a minimum, office paper and cardboard from all other waste. Recycling of materials such as glass, metal, plastic, toner cartridges and food waste is encouraged but optional.
• Return hazardous waste (fluorescent lighting and batteries) to facilities management who will send for appropriate recycling.
• Facilitation of weekly recyclable waste collection on behalf of the tenants.
• Implementation of a quarterly waste audit to monitor the performance of the program.

Quarterly audits of waste streams are carried out, with suggestions for improvements sent to tenants.

Tenants can implement tenancy-based waste reduction and recycling schemes by encouraging staff to:

• Use electronic mail where possible.
• Use of reusable envelopes for internal mail.
• Have individual trays for double sided paper.
• Have paper recycling bins located at each workstation.
• Provide dedicated areas for recycling storage in central locations such as tea rooms. (It is recommended that a minimum area of 1% NLA be provided for dedicated central recycling storage.) Install under-sink water chiller and filtration systems in lieu of water bottles.
• Purchase sufficient mugs, glasses and cutlery for all staff and users to reduce reliance on disposable items.
• Avoid using vending machines with disposable cups.

PESTICIDE USE

For planned pesticide use, building management will:

• Provide paper or digital notification to all building occupants on the protocol for pesticide use notification.
• Notify all building occupants via paper or digital means at least 24 hours prior to pesticide application.
• Post a notification sign at the site of application 24 hours prior to application and leave in place for at least 24 hours.
• Ensure notification signs include the pesticide name, registration number, treatment location and date of application.

For emergency pesticide use building management will:

• Provide paper or digital notification to all building occupants on the protocol for pesticide use notification.
• Notify all building occupants via paper or digital means within 24 hours of pesticide application.
• Post a notification sign at the site of application within 24 hours and leave in place for at least 24 hours.
• Ensure notification signs include the pesticide name, registration number, treatment location and date of application.
• Provide information on the type of emergency or reason for unplanned use.

CLEANING PRODUCTS

500 Collins restricts hazardous or harmful ingredients in soap, shampoos, cleaning, disinfection and sanitization products used/provided in all base building areas.

All products used avoid the following ingredients classified under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the following endpoints:

• Carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances (H340, H350 and H360)
• Systemic toxicity/organ effects (H372)
• Skin and respiratory irritation (H317 and H334)

REDUCING HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN NEW MATERIALS & PRODUCTS

The building also has a program in place to ensure that all future building materials and products purchased for repair, renovation or replacement in both base building and tenancy areas meet the WELL requirements relating to volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.

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