Building an Eco-Friendly Mall Doesn't Have to Be Difficult with These Tips

People don’t often think of malls as being environmentally friendly. However, intelligent decisions can ensure that a local mall can be more than a shopping centre. If you plan on developing your commercial property, an eco-friendly mall is a potential game-changer. Here are some tips that should help in your planning to ensure you get the best results.

Use the right construction materials

Building an eco-friendly mall starts from the very foundations. Some materials are better for the environment. Click here to know more about retaining wall systems that are a great way to control water around your building. It can divert and channel them into the right places. Additionally, concrete is an excellent eco-friendly material because it becomes more durable as it grows older. It is also perfect for controlling the temperature of the mall, which can help reduce your power bill. Other materials you should look into for possible use are recycled steel for the initial frames, and recycled plastic for other purposes.

Create green spaces

You can also design the mall to be more eco-friendly. Work with an architect to set aside green spaces for your mall. Adding greenery to a mall is not a new thing; the difference is that a lot of the early efforts are small. If you want to be eco-friendly, integrating plants and greenery is a good move. Plants have a natural cooling effect, and your shoppers can benefit from the natural lower temperatures. Energy savings aside, green spaces also attract foot traffic. That can encourage shoppers to visit the various stores in your mall.

Be smart about energy usage

Malls are notorious energy hogs. The electricity bill for any shopping complex can be astronomical. Fortunately, there are several intelligent solutions to the energy problem. Large mall complexes have a lot of roof areas that are perfect for solar panels. A mall can generate a consistent amount of electricity throughout the day with solar panels. This approach reduces the mall’s dependence on the electric grid. 

You can also reduce your need for artificial lighting during the day. Install large windows and skylights in the right places. They will provide your mall with natural light for the entire day. You can then use LED lights at night. They use only a fraction of the electricity that standard light fixtures use.

Improve waste management

Another major problem of malls is waste. A mall generates tons of garbage in various forms. Improving your waste management systems can help reduce the amount of waste. For example, you can implement proper recycling segregation in your mall so that recyclables can go to the right place. Additionally, you can change how your mall handles organic wastes so that they can be put to proper use instead of landing in a landfill.

Eco-friendly malls are not impossible. It will require some intelligent planning to ensure that the project has minimal environmental problems. The suggestions above can help guide you towards a more ecological approach to organising your commercial projects. Be part of the future by recognising that commerce and the environment don't have to clash against each other.