Jonathan Synovic and Toby Van Sistine, co-owners of Brookfield-based Source 1 Project Solutions Inc., have built their business on incorporating healthy materials, products and processes into the design and build process for their clients.
Studies have found that chemicals in building materials and everyday products including cleaners, perfumes and colognes are causing people to feel not only “foggy,” but even sick, said Synovic, president and chief executive officer.
“It’s really about educating our clients on the healthy building options available for them,” he said.
After three years of research, Source 1 Project Solutions relocated to a new facility in October 2013 and took the opportunity to practice what it preaches.
“We not only looked at building materials, but the installation process as well,” Synovic said. “And it goes beyond even that. It goes even further to looking at the office furniture, the types of soaps used in the office, the paper towels, and using glass dishes instead of plastic or foam. There are so many options.”
Source 1 employees are also expected to respect the company’s health policy and not use toxic cleaners or wear perfumes or colognes to the office.
According to Synovic, after making the changes, employees in his office no longer feel sleepy or tired, and many no longer get headaches.
“The biggest changes we’ve seen from the old office to the new space is that we no longer need those energy perks in the afternoon,” he said. “It’s neat to come into a workspace that feels cleaner than the outside air, even.”
Life-threatening diseases like cancer, asthma and chronic sinusitis can also develop from increased exposure to unhealthy materials in a person’s environment, studies have shown, Synovic said.
It’s had a huge effect on productivity for the company, and even clients can see and feel the difference when they visit the space, he said.
