1. What Are End-of-Trip Facilities?
EoT facilities are purpose-designed amenities that support active commuting by providing secure, practical spaces for people who travel to work by bicycle, on foot, or via other low-emission modes. Typical EoT facilities include lockers, showers, change areas, drying spaces and secure bicycle storage, all designed to make active transport viable in a commercial workplace context.
As cities increase density and reduce reliance on private vehicles, EoT facilities are no longer treated as optional extras. In many commercial developments, they form a core part of workplace amenity strategies, tenant attraction, and sustainability outcomes.
2. Regulatory and Design Expectations
While there is no single nationwide regulation governing the addition of EoT facilities, most state planning and building frameworks encourage or require them for new developments, particularly in commercial and educational projects. Common standards include:
- Showers and Change Rooms: A minimum of one shower for every 10 bicycle parking spaces is often considered best practice.
- Lockers: One locker per bicycle space is recommended to provide adequate personal storage.
- Accessibility: Facilities must be easily accessible from the bicycle storage area, ideally on the same or adjacent floor.
- Drying Areas: Adequate space for drying clothes is essential for functionality and user comfort.
These guidelines align closely with GBCA’s Green Star credit requirements, which emphasise convenience, accessibility, and inclusivity. For example, while facilities can be on a different floor than bike storage, they must still meet accessibility standards such as AS 1428.
3. How EoT Facilities Contribute to Green Star Ratings
Within a Green Star context, end‑of‑trip facilities act as a multiplier rather than a standalone feature. Well‑designed EoT spaces can contribute to multiple credit areas by supporting low‑carbon transport behaviours while also meeting expectations for healthy interiors and responsible material use.
For example, EoT facilities that encourage cycling and walking directly support transport‑related sustainability outcomes. At the same time, the specification of low‑emission, durable materials within showers, lockers and change areas can contribute to Indoor Environment Quality and Materials credits. When considered early in the design process, EoT facilities can help align functional amenity with broader project sustainability targets.
Key Green Star considerations for EoT facilities may include:
- Support for active transport and reduced reliance on private vehicles
- Indoor air quality and moisture control in high‑use wet areas
- Selection of materials with verified environmental and health credentials
- Durability and adaptability to reduce lifecycle impacts
Projects can earn up to 10 Green Star points in the Transport category if they can demonstrate a measurable reduction in emissions from staff travel due to these facilities.
Learn more: Why Green Star and Global GreenTag Matter: How DuraCube Supports a Sustainable Built Environment
Key Green Star Points for EoT Facilities
Green Star Credit Area | Description | Points Available |
Transport Credit | Encourages active transport through high-quality EoT facilities | Up to 10 |
Sustainable Products | Use of certified products like GreenRate Level A | Up to 3 |
Indoor Environment Quality | Enhancing comfort and health through material selection and ventilation | Up to 2 |
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4. Integrating GreenRate™ Certified Products
For designers and builders, specifying products with recognised sustainability credentials can streamline Green Star compliance. The GreenRate™ certification program, operated by Global GreenTag Cert™, assesses building products for their environmental and social impact across the entire lifecycle.
Products like DuraCube® / DuraSafe® Compact Laminate Systems, which hold a GreenRate Level A certification, meet the highest sustainability standards under this scheme. This certification is directly aligned with the GBCA’s Green Star tools and contributes to the Sustainable Products credit within categories like Design & As Built and Interiors.
A Level A certification equates to 100% of the available credit points in Green Star’s Sustainable Products pathway, making it an invaluable credential for specifiers. Using such certified materials ensures compliance with best practice environmental performance while reducing administrative burden during certification.
5. Why GreenRate Matters
For facility managers, architects, and education-sector planners, choosing GreenRate-certified systems, like DuraCube’s compact laminate, ensures that EoT facilities are both durable and compliant with sustainability benchmarks. DuraCube’s materials are resistant to moisture, impact, and bacterial growth, ideal for high-traffic change rooms and shower areas.
Moreover, incorporating certified materials into EoT facilities supports the building’s broader sustainability goals, helping clients achieve or maintain a Green Star rating. This is particularly relevant for universities, schools, and commercial offices aiming for 5 or 6 Star Green Star certifications, where every sustainability credit counts.
6. Best Practice Recommendations
To maximise both usability and Green Star contributions, consider the following design principles:
- Provide inclusive and accessible amenities (e.g., Accessible Ironing Station) that meet or exceed AS 1428 standards.
- Use GreenRate-certified or equivalent sustainable materials for partitions, benches, and joinery.
- Ensure adequate ventilation and drainage to maintain air quality and hygiene.
- Incorporate privacy and safety features, such as lockable cubicles and anti-slip surfaces.
- Allocate space for drying and storage, improving user satisfaction and facility adoption.
As sustainability expectations continue to rise across Australia’s commercial and education sectors, integrating compliant EoT facilities is becoming a standard practice rather than an optional feature. Leveraging GreenRate™ Level A certified products, such as DuraCube® Compact Laminate Systems, ensures your project not only meets Green Star requirements but also delivers long-term durability and user satisfaction.
Designing with compliance, comfort, and sustainability in mind positions your building as a leader in modern, environmentally responsible design.