Making sustainability work in property restoration: A practical guide

Turning sustainability into your competitive advantage in restoration

In a recent webinar, we brought together leaders from the restoration and insurance industries to discuss a vital issue: sustainability in property restoration.

Extreme weather and stricter environmental rules are changing the property claims insurance industry. Soon, service level agreements between contractors and carriers will track waste diversion metrics like waste diversion, energy usage, and fuel consumption.

Going green is no longer just about the environment‌ — ‌it’s crucial for staying competitive. But how do you move from knowing to doing? This guide is your bridge from eco-awareness to eco-action.

The challenge of sustainability in property restoration

Adopting sustainable methods sounds great, but implementing them can be tough. Concerns about costs, the hassle of changing old ways, and whether these efforts really pay off are common.

To emphasize the impact of beginning your sustainability journey, the panel highlights the importance of taking small steps:

Getting started with sustainable practices in the restoration industry

Here’s how you can break it down:

• Environmental audit: Identify where your business generates waste and opportunities to recycle or reuse materials.
• Set clear goals: Define specific targets, such as reducing waste by 10% or cutting down water use.
• Team involvement: Motivate your team to embrace sustainability through training and clear communication.
• Stakeholder communication: Keep clients and partners informed about your sustainability goals and achievements.

A comprehensive guide to waste management

Effective waste management is crucial for sustainable restoration practices.

Start simple:

• Identify common waste types: Focus on the most frequent waste materials like wood, drywall, and metals.
• Set up dedicated bins: Place clearly labeled bins at strategic points to facilitate easy sorting during cleanup.

Form a dedicated green team:

• Team setup: Create a green team within your existing staff who are passionate about sustainability.
• Key roles to consider:
  • Team leader: Choose a current employee who's organized and can oversee sustainability initiatives effectively. They'll coordinate the green team's activities and act as the primary contact for management.
  • Waste management coordinator: Assign this role to someone keen on improving operational efficiency. They'll handle the setup of recycling stations and the improvement of waste sorting practices.
• Regular check-ins: Establish a routine of brief monthly meetings to track progress, talk about challenges, and adapt strategies as needed. This keeps the team focused and responsive to changing conditions.
• Training and development: Provide ongoing training to make sure all team members are up-to-date on the latest sustainable practices and regulatory requirements.

Best practices for on-site waste management:

• Clear labeling and color-coding: Use clear, large labels and color-coding for bins to simplify sorting.
• Regular audits: Conduct audits to make sure practices are followed correctly.
• Accessibility: Make sure bins are accessible yet don't obstruct workflows.
• Vendor partnerships: Collaborate with local recycling and waste management vendors for support, especially with hazardous materials.

Streamline your waste management with the EcoClaim Waste Diversion Tracking Form. This handy tool helps you track and improve your waste practices effectively.

Understanding ESG compliance for restoration companies

Environmental, Social, and Governance standards help companies work in ways that are good for the environment, socially responsible, and follow ethical practices.

It's important to understand these terms because they're directly related to how we manage our impact on the environment.

Understanding ESG is just the start. Watch this clip, where experts explain why tracking carbon is a necessary exercise and how Scope 3 emissions directly impact the restoration industry.

Choosing the right technology for sustainability

Choosing the right technology, such as Encircle in partnership with EcoClaim, is pivotal for sustainability in property restoration, especially as global regulations around emission tracking become stricter.

When choosing a technology, make sure it offers:

• Robust documentation capabilities: Essential for capturing detailed field data.
• Real-time data processing: Keeps your sustainability metrics current, allowing for timely reporting.
• Verification features: Enables precise, verifiable data that meets compliance demands.
• Integration ease: Seamlessly integrates with your existing workflows, minimizing disruptions.

Real-world win: Discover how PPCR effectively tracks their sustainability metrics with Encircle

Embrace sustainable practices in your restoration business

The journey toward sustainability in the restoration industry isn't just good for the planet‌ — ‌it strategically benefits your business:

• Cost savings: Like PPCR, switching to eco-friendly options such as electric vehicles can significantly reduce operational costs.
• Employee attraction and retention: Sustainability boosts your appeal, attracting and keeping employees who value environmental responsibility.
• Competitive edge: Being eco-friendly enhances your reputation, helping make you a preferred partner for carriers.

Start with one change, evaluate the impact, and gradually expand your efforts.

Want this blog as a handy checklist? Download your Practical Sustainability Checklist here to start making your restoration business eco-friendlier today.