Furniture
Recycling furniture: an enterprising
solution for redundant office items
Colin Crooks, CEO and founder of Green-Works (www.green-works.co.uk) looks at the benefits of disposing of furniture in an
environmentally sensitive way.
It’s almost impossible to avoid the economic downturn at the How can furniture have an impact?
moment and you can’t pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV Each year in the UK, it’s estimated that more than 500,000
without being overwhelmed by the daunting facts and figures tonnes of furniture is sent to landfill at an approximate cost of
that the media presents. This has obviously had a knock-on £16million to Britain’s businesses. But whilst this comes at an
effect on confidence for companies that have been forced to
obvious financial cost to companies it also has a significant
reconsider every aspect of their operation in an effort to cut
cost for the environment. Often, even though these items no
costs. But life goes on, especially in business and despite tight
longer have a use for the organisation disposing of them, they
market conditions we all still need products and services, it’s
are still in good condition and so businesses should carefully
just that we now expect more from our providers than ever
consider the impact that their redundant office furniture could
before.
have if it was given a new lease of life.
This is particularly true when it comes to the removal of
In order for a company’s unwanted items to go on and do the
redundant office furniture. The economic downturn has meant
most good, it’s important to choose your recycling contractors
that some companies are sitting tight deciding to stay put and
carefully. Alot of companies offering a service in this field are
ride out the financial storm. But others, who are looking to cut
highly selective about the furniture that they will collect and
operating costs during the economic downturn, are actively
the rest has had to go to landfill. However there are companies
looking to downsize their premises. More than 45,000*
out there, such as Green-Works that will actively look to
companies moved premises last year and it’s expected that this
redistribute your furniture and equipment to either UK
figure will continue to rise during the coming months. But
businesses in the third sector such as charities, schools and
whilst cost is an increasingly important consideration,
not-for-profit organisations, or to developing countries
businesses are still conscious of their social and environmental
overseas. These types of organisations and third world
impact. We all understand that these issues are not simply
countries cannot afford good quality new furniture and in many
going to go away over night, and so facilities managers in
cases even second hand furniture is out of reach.
particular face a delicate balancing act between cost and Green-Works also provide real employment and skills training
climate. for people from marginalised backgrounds By reusing the
furniture Green-Works can create a range of opportunities for
The removal and disposal of redundant office furniture can be
such people from stock control to customer service, from sales
a minefield when it comes to balancing cost against CSR. But
to accounting. This makes a difference to local communities
understanding the issues surrounding the responsible removal
and puts the furniture donor in a good light. So by working
of your unwanted items is key to ticking all of the boxes.
closely with an organisation that will ensure your redundant
items reach and impact upon these worthy causes, your
company will not simply be disposing of your unwanted
furniture in an environmentally responsible manner, you will
also be helping to make an immeasurable difference to
people’s lives.
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