What if waste wasn’t just an operational nuisance, but one of your organization’s biggest untapped business opportunities? On this episode of the Connected FM podcast, IFMA’s Director of Knowledge and Insights, Dr. Matt Tucker, sits down with Hélène Carpentier, founder of Circular Workplaces and former Global Head of Circular Economy at CBRE.

In this discussion, Hélène and Matt tackle one of the most critical evolutions in building operations: moving away from linear "take-make-dispose" operations and adopting a circular economy model. They unpack how regional workplace cultures influence waste generation, why procurement holds the ultimate key to driving circularity, and how facility managers can leverage circular strategies to slash operational costs, meet tightening regulatory demands and elevate the workplace experience.

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What is circular facility management?

In traditional building operations, waste management is often treated as a linear operational byproduct: materials are purchased, consumed and discarded. Circular facility management fundamentally shifts this dynamic by focusing on keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible.

Rather than relying on continuous buying and disposal cycles, circular FM focuses on extending asset lifespans, optimizing procurement workflows and adopting "as-a-service" models. By integrating circular economy principles directly into daily facility operations, organizations can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, insulate themselves against raw material volatility, and optimize overall operational costs.

Top 5 highlights & takeaways from the episode

1. FM has the opportunity to disrupt the waste industry

"Right now, we're managing waste as an operational byproduct," notes Carpentier. "The waste management industry is a multi-billion-pound industry, but it's just taking stuff and managing it. FM sits at a unique intersection where it can deliver better services without producing as much waste through innovation, engagement and service delivery."

2. Culture shapes consumption more than market maturity

It is often assumed that developed markets lead in sustainability initiatives, but cultural attitudes toward reuse play a larger role. In many emerging markets, repair and resourcefulness are naturally embedded into everyday life. Conversely, Western workplace environments frequently struggle with takeaway culture, single-use items and regulatory rigidity around asset warranties and expiration guidelines.

3. Procurement holds the key to circularity

"Procurement really is a lever to enable circular economy processes to work," notes Dr. Tucker. As Carpentier and co-author Matt Langley detail in their book, Circular Procurement, shaping purchasing contracts and vendor requirements upstream prevents waste downstream. Without clear alignment between procurement and facility operations — such as buying compostable items without having the proper waste diversion infrastructure — sustainability goals fall short.

4. The high cost of doing nothing

In a recent discovery audit for a 2,000-person office, Circular Workplaces found that taking no action on operational waste would cost the organization £1.6 million over five years due to disposal fees, wasted procurement purchases, and upcoming regulations like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). By implementing targeted circular initiatives, the organization could control up to £1 million of those projected costs.

5. Building operations as a service ("The Netflix of FM")

Shift the focus from ownership to service access. Models like "Furniture-as-a-Service" allow organizations to move away from heavy CapEx investments and leverage specialized vendor supply chains designed to repair, remanufacture, and continuously reuse assets.

Next steps for facility leaders

Circular facility management is no longer just an environmental initiative. It is a strategic necessity for cost control, regulatory compliance and workplace experience. By leveraging procurement as a strategic tool and adopting service-driven operational models, facility managers can lead the charge in creating resilient, low-impact built environments.