You may not think much of the partitions that make up your office’s cubicles, or the desks and chairs that fill each one right now. But eventually, you may have the opportunity to replace them.
Maybe you’re slated for a full migration to a new space, or you’ve been given the green light for a highly anticipated revitalization. As many corporate offices embrace increasingly informal, open-plan workspaces, you need new equipment that fits these designs.
With new furniture on its way, the old ones have to go. But where? While it may be tempting to toss these items, this spells trouble for the environment. Try these eco-friendly alternatives first.
Donate Office Furniture
As long as your desks, cabinets, and other equipment are in good shape, consider giving these items away to a non-profit in need. Schools and charities desperately need office furniture, and they don’t always have the budget to afford these essential items. By receiving in-kind donations, they can prioritize their funds on more deserving projects.
Donating your furniture may take some time to organize, especially if your corporation isn’t already partnered with local charities. If you don’t have the time to devote to this task, consider connecting with an environmental firm, such as Green Standards, that facilitates sustainable office decommissions on your behalf.
If you donate your office furniture with Green Standards, this donation is just one part of its broader services. It belongs to a package that covers every conceivable step of the decommissioning process, including its marketing. Donations are an excellent opportunity to engage with your local media to share the positive impact your corporation has on the community.
Resell Used Office Furniture
Large corporations might expect the final bill for a migration or revitalization project to hit seven figures. It’s expensive to move or retrofit a new office space, and no matter how big your budget may be, you’re always on the lookout for ways to shave down your costs.
Selling used office furniture is one way to sidestep common costs involved with liquidation, including costly landfill tipping fees. It also generates revenue that offsets other moving costs with an added benefit to the environment. When a new corporation buys your gently used equipment, you’re keeping these items in use and out of a landfill as long as possible.
Make Sure It Gets Recycled Properly
Due to the nature of your business, you may have unique items in your inventory. If you can’t find a non-profit who will take free office furniture — or if other for-profit companies have no use for these items — you may have no other choice but to discard them.
Furniture is made up of a variety of chemicals and materials that make them unsuitable for the landfill. It needs to be recycled properly.
Make sure you get in touch with a sustainable workplace furniture decommission service that can advise you on the best way to recycle this waste. This keeps hazardous material from leaching into the environment, and it reintroduces recycled materials into the manufacturing cycle.
Which Option Will You Pick?
You may not need your office equipment anymore, but this doesn’t signal the end of its life. Before you toss these items into the landfill, consider your alternatives. Donate, sell, or recycle. These options have a profound impact on your budget, your community, and the environment.