Plants for People joins eFIG in greening workspaces
Plants for People joins eFIG in greening workspacesKeywords: Facilities managers, Working environment, Health and safety
Plants are good for us! And good news for interior landscapers too. Independent scientific and academic research collected by eFIG member, and international organisation, Plants for People has the findings to prove it.
Healthy examples
Samples of the collected findings tell us that:
plants reduce headaches, blocked sinuses, fatigue and many other minor ailments;
plants reduce stress and as a bonus for employers, improve concentration and productivity;
most of us feel generally better with plants around us at work and at home;
plants aid fast recovery in hospital;
plants absorb noise;
plants scrub the air of toxins (VOCs) emitted by modern building and furnishing materials which we would otherwise inhale.
Saving costs
The comparatively small outlay for a planting scheme can have effective cost and energy saving implications for businesses. Both issues are now increasingly at the forefront of concerns when building or refurbishing business premises in particular.
Plants make savings in the following ways:
by reducing staff absenteeism caused by minor ailments or stress;
by improving productivity;
by recycling water – plants "scrub" unclean water to "grey water" suitable for toilet flushing or plant watering;
by providing shade (interior or exterior planting);
by providing cooling due to roof planting;
by acting as natural barriers to absorb noise.
Plants for People makes the collected information available to all interested parties via their Web site, the media or by direct contact on the telephone.
Case studies collected by Plants for People focus on how landscapers,architects, engineers and others use plants and show trade sectors just how the findings can be used in practical applications.
As a member of the interior landscapers organisation, eFIG, Plants for People makes sure that other members are kept up to date with the latest information about the benefits of plants so that they can use it to inform their clients.
For further information, please contact: Colleen Smith, Plants for People,Catherine Chambers, 6-8 Catherine Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 2DQ. E-mail: pfp@je;rviscom.demon.co.uk; Web site: www.plants-for-people.orgor Joanna Hargreaves, eFIG, PO Box 196, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 7PF. Web site: www.efig.eu.com; E-mail: info@efig.eu.com
