Sustainability has become a serious factor in how organisations choose suppliers. Across the UK and Ireland, businesses, local councils, universities, and developers are prioritising sustainable solutions that help them meet carbon targets and reduce lifetime costs.
For installers and value-added resellers (VARs) in the access control sector, this shift represents a major opportunity. Choosing products that last longer, require minimal maintenance, and generate less waste doesn’t just help the environment, it helps you win more installs and retain more clients.
At SimonsVoss, sustainability and performance go hand in hand. Our long-life, wireless access control systems are designed for endurance, efficiency, and scalability; offering partners a smarter way to deliver secure, sustainable buildings.
Why Sustainability Matters in Access Control
Sustainability now influences how nearly every major project is specified and awarded.
By 2025, most tenders include sustainability questions worth 10–30% of the evaluation score (Supply2Govtenders).
From local authorities seeking BREEAM accreditation to universities targeting net-zero operations, sustainability is reshaping procurement in security and building management.
For installers, this means clients are actively looking for technologies that reduce maintenance, conserve energy, and deliver long-term reliability. Access control is no exception.
“Sustainability has become a business differentiator in security, not just a buzzword. Clients want systems that last and create less waste over time.”
– Bruce Donald, SimonsVoss
The built environment now accounts for roughly 25% of the UK’s total carbon footprint according to the UK Green Building Council. With construction producing more than 100 million tonnes of waste every year (DEFR, 2015), long-life building technologies are essential for change.
The Hidden Cost of Traditional Access Control
Traditional access control systems often come with a short and wasteful lifecycle.
Mechanical locks wear down, keys are lost or copied, batteries need frequent replacement, and wired systems require extensive cabling and invasive installation work.
Each of these factors adds to the environmental footprint:
- Regular component replacements generate material waste.
- Metal and plastic from keys, cards, and cabling often ends up in landfill.
- Frequent callouts and site visits increase travel emissions.
Many facility managers, particularly in education, healthcare, and local government, now prioritise durability and sustainability as much as functionality. They want systems that stay in service for years, not ones that demand constant maintenance.
SimonsVoss digital locking systems meet this need by combining high performance with long life and low impact.
Long-Life Systems: The Smarter, Greener Choice
Every SimonsVoss product is engineered for endurance and efficiency. From design to installation, our systems minimise waste and maximise value over time.
Built to Last
With battery lifespans of up to 9 years on standby, or 100,000 activations and durable construction, SimonsVoss products deliver reliability and longevity that reduce replacements and waste. This extended lifespan can lower lifetime emissions by as much as 30%, based on UKGBC circular economy data.
Wireless Installation
Our wireless architecture removes the need for miles of cabling. That means less copper, fewer plastics, and minimal drilling or disruption during installation. It’s faster, cleaner, and more sustainable.
Modular and Upgradeable
Each product is designed to be reprogrammed, upgraded, or reused across new systems. This modular approach reduces waste and supports a circular economy.
Low Maintenance, High Efficiency
Digital locking eliminates the mechanical wear and tear of key systems. No more key cutting or regular servicing; fewer engineer visits and a smaller carbon footprint.
At a Glance: Traditional vs. SimonsVoss
| Feature | Traditional Systems | SimonsVoss Digital Systems |
| Battery Life | 1-2 Years | Up to 9 years on standby or 100,000 activations |
| Maintenance visits | Frequent | Minimal |
| Cabling | Extensive | None (Wireless) |
| Reusability | Low | High (modular) |
| Waste output | High | Low |
| Sustainability | Moderate | Excellent |
“We choose to use Simons Voss products for a number of reasons, we attach great importance to designing security systems for our clients that will perform for years to come, with minimal impact on our environment and we believe that Simons Voss can deliver both for our clients.”
– Killian Murphy, SimonsVoss Partner, Ireland
How Sustainability Strengthens Your Sales Pitch
For SimonsVoss partners and VARs, sustainability is more than an engineering advantage, it’s a commercial differentiator.
Here’s how to make it part of your winning strategy:
Support Client ESG Goals
Most organisations now report on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) progress. By installing long-life systems, you directly support those objectives, helping clients meet sustainability targets with measurable results.
Reduce Lifetime Costs
A system that lasts longer saves clients money. With fewer component replacements and less maintenance, total cost of ownership drops while system performance stays high.
Meet Green Building Standards
Sustainable systems can contribute to environmental building certifications such as BREEAM, LEED, or WELL, which are increasingly common in public procurement and commercial development.
Strengthen Brand Reputation
By demonstrating environmental responsibility, you become a preferred supplier for forward-thinking organisations seeking reliable and eco-conscious technology partners.
Improve Client Retention
Long-life systems deliver lasting reliability, keeping clients satisfied and more likely to return for expansions, upgrades, and referrals.
Installer Toolkit: Talking Sustainability with Clients
To help partners integrate sustainability into proposals and client discussions, focus on practical talking points like:
- Highlight total lifecycle value, not just upfront costs.
- Explain that fewer callouts and replacements reduce emissions and disruption.
- Show how audit trails and smart management tools support ESG reporting.
- Demonstrate product reusability and modularity for futureproofing.
- Reference SimonsVoss’ sustainable manufacturing and responsible sourcing.
When sustainability becomes part of your sales language, it builds trust and positions your business as a proactive partner.
SimonsVoss: A Commitment to Responsible Innovation
Sustainability at SimonsVoss begins long before installation.
We continuously refine our design, manufacturing, and logistics to reduce environmental impact. This includes:
- Using recyclable materials and modular product architecture.
- Designing components for long service life and reusability
- Reducing packaging waste and optimising logistics efficiency.
- Operating under Allegion’s global ISO 14001-certified environmental management system.
We believe technology should be designed to serve both people and the planet, which is why longevity and quality are central to everything we build.
Northampton Saints RFC
When Northampton Saints Rugby Club upgraded their stadium’s security, sustainability and simplicity were top priorities. They wanted a keyless entry system that would reduce maintenance, improve security, and last for years.
SimonsVoss supplied a wireless access control system that met every requirement. The installation avoided cabling, reduced waste, and cut maintenance visits significantly.
“We’re now entering a keyless world using the SimonsVoss transponder. The audit trail allows us to see who was where at what times, which has fundamentally tightened up our processes.”
– Kristy Coates, Head of Operations, Northampton Saints RFC
The result was a secure, efficient system that supports both operational goals and environmental responsibility.
The Future of Sustainable Access Control
The security industry is evolving rapidly, and sustainability will continue to drive innovation. Key trends include:
- Energy-efficient components that extend battery life and reduce waste.
- Recyclable materials that make end-of-life recovery easier.
- Remote management through cloud solutions that reduce travel emissions.
- Circular design principles that keep systems in service longer.
SimonsVoss is leading this evolution by focusing on long-lasting technology, efficient design, and continuous improvement across every stage of the product lifecycle.
Local Focus: Sustainability in the UK and Ireland
In both the UK and Ireland, sustainability is now embedded in construction and building operations.
The UK’s Net Zero Strategy and Ireland’s Climate Action Plan 2024 emphasise efficiency and reduced carbon impact across infrastructure projects.
Access control technology plays a key part in achieving these goals. By choosing SimonsVoss, installers can align with national sustainability targets and offer clients compliant, future-proof solutions.
FAQs about Sustainable Access Control
A sustainable system uses energy-efficient components, requires minimal maintenance, and lasts for many years before replacement.
By reducing the frequency of maintenance and component replacements, clients spend less over the system’s lifecycle.
Many components are modular and designed for reuse or recycling, reducing waste and material demand.
Yes. SimonsVoss systems combine sustainability with top-tier security and reliability, trusted by leading organisations across Europe.
Build for the Long Term
Sustainability and business growth now go hand in hand. When your installations are designed to last, require less maintenance, and perform consistently, you are delivering genuine value to clients and contributing to a cleaner future.
SimonsVoss systems are built on this principle. They combine proven German engineering, minimal environmental impact, and exceptional performance to help partners win more installations and retain more customers.
If you are ready to grow your business with technology that lasts, talk to us today.
Ready to win more installs with long-life access control?