Sustainability and Circular Economy in the Workplace
Sheldon places sustainability at the core of our process, starting from the design phase through to construction.
Our mission is to make clients aware of sustainable options and alternatives, prioritising reuse and recycling to minimise our projects’ carbon footprints.
We recognise that we are a part of a global community, and acknowledge our role in the fight against climate change and towards environmental progress. As members of the Green Building Council of Australia, it is our corporate social responsibility to not only comply with standards but to improve upon these through our processes and the products we supply.
Circular Workplaces Guide
How to design and construct your office fit out through the circular economy to reduce environmental impact, with examples from Sheldon’s internal strategy, design, construction, manufacturing, partitioning, and electrical teams.
Adaptive Reuse for Fitouts
In this whitepaper, we explore the insights, strategies, and benefits of adaptive reuse, highlighting how businesses can achieve cost savings, reduce environmental impact, whilst creating unique, inspiring work environments that lease quickly.
Sheldon’s ESG Management Framework
Sheldon’s ESG strategy and purpose is to guide the company in integrating sustainability into its core operations, ensuring responsible and ethical management, and addressing the environmental and social impacts of its activities. It is centred on maximising impact and meeting stakeholder expectations in both the short and long term.
EcoVadis Gold Rated ESG Management System
Sheldon earned a gold medal in our recent EcoVadis assessment of our ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) management system and reporting. With a score of 79/100, Sheldon placed in the top 2% for ESG management across all companies assessed by EcoVadis worldwide. EcoVadis assesses a range of measurements and progress across four main evaluation areas: Environment, Ethics, Labour and Human Rights, and Sustainable Procurement. It is a globally recognised 3rd party ESG assessor that has been utilised by over 130,000 companies worldwide. Through this process Sheldon showcased our continued ESG efforts and commitment to the circular economy through our projects and operations, as well as external engagement with Indigenous and land regeneration initiatives. Sheldon's sustainability management system demonstrates a genuine commitment to promoting transparency throughout the value chain.
Adaptive Reuse Case Study | 55 Clarence St
Embracing a circular approach to the workplace design and construct process at 55 Clarence St, we reduced carbon emissions on a project by 48%. That would power the suite for 4.5 years, and it’s the equivalent of planting 2400 trees over the course of a 5-year lease.
Delivering with a fully electric truck
Sheldon acquired Hyundai’s first 100% electric, zero emissions, truck for delivering materials and joinery to site. This marks a significant milestone in reducing the overall emissions of Sheldon’s projects. Along with using local suppliers, and the coordination of deliveries to site from internal divisions, Sheldon’s electric truck signifies a drive to make the workplace delivery process more sustainable.
Calculating carbon emissions with The Footprint Company
Sheldon uses The Footprint Company’s Calculator to calculate the embodied carbon emissions produced by projects, and reports this to clients. This is a critical step for our industry to be aware of the carbon intensity of the design and construct process, and to find ways we can minimise emissions through reuse, recycling, transportation and more.
Sheldon uses the services of Revert Group for all waste management. Through a comprehensive recycling and waste management system, Revert diverts construction and demolition materials from landfill. Revert is also developing products from waste materials, furthering their commitment to closing the product loop. This aligs with Sheldon’s commitment to working towards a circular economy.
Sustainable waste management
We use profits to support land regeneration
Alongside our sister company CoDesign + Sheldon, we create workplaces that encourage environmental sustainability in their design and construction, and fund land regeneration initiatives through our profits.
CoDesign’s CEO and Sheldon’s cultural advisor, Wiradjuri Elder, Professor Richard Swain is involved with environmental initiatives including Yambulla and the Invasive Species Council, and uses his knowledge and experience to effectively distribute resources.
Recent Sustainability Insights
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Circular Economy is an economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials or products. It rethinks traditional linear production and construction methods in order to minimise waste, materials and unnecessary raw material consumption.
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Circular Workplaces are workplaces that adopt circular economy principles, in their design, construction, and use. By considering the lifetime costs and use of raw materials, offices can become more environmentally sustainable. At Sheldon, our Ciruclar Workplace Strategy involves repurposing existing elements and materials, applying sustainable building/manufacturing practices, and designing workplaces to last well into the future.
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To ensure sustainability in office fitouts, businesses should focus on using recycled or sustainably sourced materials, choosing energy-efficient appliances and lighting, and incorporating green spaces or biophilic design elements. It’s also important to consider the longevity and adaptability of the fitout to avoid frequent renovations. Employing a design and construction team with expertise in sustainability can help in achieving these goals effectively.
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One of the main challenges is the initial cost, as sustainable materials and technologies can be more expensive upfront. However, these costs are often offset by long-term savings in energy and maintenance. Another challenge is finding the right suppliers and contractors who can provide sustainable options. Additionally, balancing aesthetic appeal with functionality and sustainability can also be a challenge in the design process.
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