As organizations increasingly prioritize sustainability, Australian facility owners and executives face growing pressure to adopt greener practices. With a focus on meeting Australia’s climate goals and carbon reduction targets, businesses are seeking inventive ways to enhance their environmental impact.
Moreover, the Australian government has passed legislation that introduces new sustainability reporting standards. Effective from January 2025, the Australian Sustainability Reporting Standard (ASRS) AASB S2 will require large publicly listed companies, private sector businesses, and financial institutions to assess and disclose information on climate-related risks in their periodic reports.
While HVAC systems and lighting often receive the most attention when it comes to building sustainability, physical access control is a crucial element that is frequently overlooked. Energy-efficient access systems can significantly reduce a building’s environmental footprint while lowering operational costs—an essential factor in a country where energy consumption and resource management are key issues.
The World Green Building Council estimates that buildings account for around 40% of global carbon emissions. By adopting energy-efficient technologies, including advanced access control systems, buildings can reduce their carbon footprint, cut down on waste, and optimize resource usage.
The momentum for sustainable practices is growing. According to the HID 2024 State of Security and Identity report, 56% of security professionals see sustainability as a top priority for 2024, with 80% noting an increase in customer demand for eco-conscious solutions.
To enhance your organization’s sustainability efforts, here are three ways your physical access control system can contribute to a greener future.
- Cutting ties with plastic
For years, PVC and other plastic materials have been the standard for creating the cards we use every day, such as credit cards, gift cards, and employee access cards. However, the production of PVC is energy-intensive and often relies on fossil fuels, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we now know that these plastics are not biodegradable and can take up to 500 years to break down, releasing harmful toxins into the environment during the process.
Switching to environmentally friendly card materials can mitigate these negative effects, reducing both energy consumption and waste. One such innovation is bamboo access cards, like HID’s Seos® Bamboo credentials, which offer a PVC-free, sustainable alternative to traditional plastic cards without compromising security or reliability.
To ensure sustainable sourcing, look for bamboo cards certified by independent organizations like the Forestry Stewardship Council® (FSC®). These eco-friendly credentials can help organizations meet sustainability objectives, including certifications such as LEED, BREEAM®, and Zero Waste to Landfill. Additionally, choose a vendor that supports the recycling of plastic cards once they are deactivated and replaced.
Additionally, other eco-friendly alternatives are emerging, including paper-based cards for short-term use and PLA cards made from plant-based materials.
- Embracing cardless technology
While physical cards like bamboo may still be required in some situations, mobile access systems take sustainability even further by allowing secure access via mobile devices, eliminating the need for PVC cards. This reduces plastic waste, and HID’s Cradle-to-Grave Life Cycle Assessment shows that mobile credentials have a much lower environmental impact compared to ISOProx PVC cards, especially in reducing harmful effects on the environment, such as increased carbon emissions and long-term ecosystem damage.
Switching to mobile credentials also cuts down on the manufacturing and shipping stages involved with traditional PVC cards. PVC cards are often produced in one country, sent to another for printing, and then shipped globally, contributing to unnecessary emissions. Mobile access eliminates these stages, reducing the overall environmental impact and saving valuable resources.
The environmental costs of card provisioning, on top of PVC production and distribution, also play a role in the carbon footprint. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average office building in the U.S. uses 15 kWh of energy per square foot annually. In a 750-square-foot card office, that translates to 11,250 kWh per year. When factoring in the energy needed to manufacture and replace potentially 100,000 PVC cards over a 10-year period, the environmental impact is considerable.
On the other hand, security administrators can manage and issue mobile credentials through a cloud-based portal, which eliminates the need for plastic and ink, significantly reducing carbon emissions in the process.
As businesses shift toward more digital environments, mobile access can reduce dependency on plastic and contribute to a lower overall carbon footprint. This solution also delivers the convenience that both administrators and users — such as employees — increasingly demand in today’s digital landscape.
Selecting the right vendor for a cardless access system is vital for ensuring the process is smooth and cost-effective. Look for a vendor who prioritizes flexibility and scalability in their customer-driven features. They should be capable of supporting your mobile access system throughout its entire lifecycle, from assessing your existing assets to ensuring flawless integration and ongoing credential management.
When upgrading to a mobile access system, third-party certifications like WiredScore and SmartScore can assist in selecting a solution that works well with smart building infrastructure.
- Powering sustainability through reduced energy consumption
Physical access control card readers, whether using mobile, bamboo, or PVC credentials, typically rely on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or near-field communication (NFC) to grant access to critical infrastructure like doors, elevators, and turnstiles. The fact that these readers need to remain active at all times results in a constant energy draw, which can negatively affect sustainability efforts, particularly in facilities with hundreds or even thousands of devices.
Switching to low-energy readers can greatly benefit a building’s sustainability goals. Environmental product declarations (EPDs) offer transparency into a reader’s energy consumption and environmental footprint, from the production stage all the way to disposal. Readers with EPDs can help organizations achieve certifications like LEED, and third-party certifications such as GreenCircle provide added confidence that a reader is environmentally responsible throughout its lifecycle.
The environmental impact of access control readers is closely linked to their service life. A reader that only functions for a few years demands more energy and raw materials to replace than one designed to last longer, reducing the overall need for resources. Opting for durable, low-energy readers designed to provide long-term performance can have a significant positive effect on sustainability efforts. Additionally, choosing readers that can be easily upgraded as security technology evolves ensures that they remain effective without needing to be replaced frequently.
It’s important to remember that energy considerations don’t end with the physical hardware. Digital components of access control systems, such as cloud services, can also have environmental consequences. The data centers that make cloud computing possible consume substantial amounts of energy and resources. The infrastructure required—such as servers, cables, and air conditioning—can contribute to waste, as well as increased energy and water consumption.
To address this, manufacturers like HID are studying the energy consumption of their cloud services for mobile access systems. This data will help businesses make more informed decisions about the environmental impact of their digital solutions, ensuring that they are choosing options that support their sustainability objectives.
Sustainability is now a key priority, not just a phrase
Sustainability is an important consideration when evaluating access systems, especially with Generation Z—those born between 1995 and 2010—leading the charge for eco-conscious decisions. This movement is particularly evident in Australia, where sustainability and climate action are top of mind for many. As environmental concerns become central across demographics, incorporating sustainability into day-to-day practices can positively affect everyone involved, from employees and visitors to investors and communities. Furthermore, adopting solutions like bamboo access cards or mobile credentials acts as a daily, visible affirmation of an organization’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint.
By adopting eco-friendly access solutions, organisations can further their sustainability goals. Whether it’s opting for bamboo cards instead of PVC or introducing mobile access systems, businesses can enhance their environmental initiatives while maintaining secure access to both physical and digital assets.
