How Can I Responsibly Manage Old Office Furniture? Uncovering Ethical and Sustainable Practices

Sam Coggin • February 26, 2023

Practical Steps for Businesses to Reduce Waste and Support a Sustainable Future through Reuse Office Furniture and Ethical Disposal

As businesses become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, many are looking for ways to reduce waste and adopt sustainable practices. One area where companies can make a significant difference is in their approach to office furniture. By reusing and ethically disposing of redundant office furniture, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint and support a more sustainable future.


In this article, we'll explore the benefits of sustainable office solutions and provide some practical tips for businesses looking to adopt them.


The Environmental Impact of Office Furniture


The production and disposal of office furniture can have a significant impact on the environment. The manufacturing process often involves the use of non-renewable resources, such as petroleum-based plastics and synthetic fibres. This can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and the depletion of natural resources.


When office furniture is no longer needed, it is often disposed of in landfills. This can lead to further environmental damage, including the release of toxic chemicals and the emission of greenhouse gases. Furthermore, furniture that ends up in landfills can take years to decompose, contributing to the growing problem of waste.


Sustainable Solutions for Redundant Office Furniture


There are several sustainable solutions for dealing with redundant office furniture. These include:


  1. Reuse


One of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of office furniture is to reuse it. This can involve moving furniture to a different location within the same company, or donating it to a charity or non-profit organisation. Reusing furniture not only reduces waste, but it can also save businesses money in the long run.


  2. Refurbish


If furniture is still in good condition but no longer meets a company's needs, it can be refurbished. Refurbishing involves repairing, repainting, or reupholstering furniture to give it a new lease of life. This can be a cost-effective and sustainable way to extend the life of office furniture.


  3. Recycle


If furniture cannot be reused or refurbished, recycling is the next best option. Many materials used in office furniture, such as metal and plastic, can be recycled. Recycling these materials not only reduces waste, but it can also conserve natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


   4. Ethical Disposal


If recycling is not an option, furniture should be disposed of ethically. This involves ensuring that furniture is disposed of in a way that minimises harm to the environment and human health. This may involve working with a waste management company that specialises in ethical disposal or ensuring that furniture is disposed of in a responsible manner.


Tips for Adopting Sustainable Office Solutions


If your business is looking to adopt sustainable office solutions, there are several tips you can follow:


  1. Plan Ahead


To reduce the amount of furniture that ends up being redundant, plan ahead when purchasing furniture. Consider the durability and longevity of furniture and choose materials that can be recycled or repurposed.


   2. Donate to Charities


Donate unwanted furniture to charities or non-profit organisations. This not only reduces waste, but it can also support those in need.


    3. Refurbish


If furniture is still in good condition but no longer meets your company's needs, refurbish it. This can extend the life of furniture and save your business money in the long run.


    4. Work with Waste Management Companies


If recycling or ethical disposal is necessary, work with a waste management company that specializes in sustainable practices. These companies can ensure that furniture is disposed of in a responsible and ethical manner.


     5. Educate Employees


Educate employees on the importance of sustainable office solutions and encourage them to participate in the process. This can help create a culture of sustainability within your business.


Conclusion


By adopting sustainable office solutions, businesses can reduce their environmental impact and support a more sustainable future. Whether it's through reusing, refurbishing, recycling, or ethical disposal, businesses have a range of options for dealing with redundant office furniture in a sustainable way. By following the tips outlined in this article, businesses can take practical steps towards reducing waste and supporting a more sustainable future for our planet. Adopting sustainable office solutions not only benefits the environment, but it can also save businesses money and promote a positive image in the eyes of customers and employees who value sustainability. Let's work together to create a more sustainable world, one piece of furniture at a time.

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One Size Doesn't Fit All: The Benefits of Resizing and Repurposing Office Desks

By Ida Gorecka • September 8, 2025
Your office transformation is approved. Budget's signed off. New layout's finalised. There's just one problem: those 1600mm executive desks that worked perfectly in the old corner offices are now 400mm too wide for your new collaborative pods. The reception desk you spent £3,000 on last year? It's the wrong height entirely for your rebrand. Most facilities managers would see this as a disposal problem. Skip hire , landfill tax , 12-week lead times for replacements. But what if that's completely backwards? What if the furniture that doesn't fit isn't a problem to solve, but an asset to unlock? Every year in the UK, around 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million office chairs are sent to landfill and only 14 % of them are being reused (Source: WRAP , Lancashire Business View ). Those old, "wrong-sized" desks you're planning to skip? They can be professionally refurbished and resized to your exact specifications in 7-10 days , at 40-70% less than new , with zero waste and a 12-month warranty . This article is for facilities managers, procurement leads, and fit-out teams who want practical, product-focused solutions. You’ll see when resizing and repurposing makes sense, the savings it delivers, the compliance boxes it ticks, and how to roll it out step by step. Curious what your current desks could deliver if resized or refurbished? Book a free assessment - we’ll map options, costs, and timelines for you.

Why Paying More Isn't Always Better: The Smart Choice of Refurbished Ergonomic Chairs

By Ida Gorecka • August 19, 2025
Refitting an office today means juggling a lot: tighter budgets, faster timelines, and pressure to deliver on ESG goals. And when it comes to ergonomic chairs, the one piece of furniture an office team relies on every day, many assume paying more for “new” automatically means better. But that’s no longer true. Refurbished ergonomic chairs offer the same comfort , durability , and support as new, backed by warranties , come with less cost and with far shorter lead times . For facilities and procurement teams, that means more budget freed up for other priorities, and fewer delays holding back your project. At Coggin SOS, we work with organisations that once assumed refurbished meant second-best. Until they saw the results. High-performance, fully warranted ergonomic chairs. Fast delivery. Circular outcomes they could actually report on. And savings of up to 80% compared to new (check out our case studies here ). In this article, you’ll learn what refurbished office chairs really offer in practice, why they’re becoming a preferred option for FM teams and procurement leads, and how your next fit-out or move could be both greener and smarter than you think. Thinking about your next office project? Contact our team and see how premium refurbished ergonomic chairs can give you comfort, savings, and sustainability in one.

Beyond Recycling: The Role of Office Furniture in a Truly Sustainable Economy

By Ida Gorecka • August 7, 2025
If you're here, you're probably managing a lot. A relocation, a refurbishment, or a growing ESG brief. Maybe you’re under pressure to meet sustainability targets, stay on budget, and deliver results your team and clients can actually see. And right now, office furniture might not be on your radar. But it should be. In most organisations, furniture is still treated as an afterthought. It’s functional, it’s bulky, and when it’s no longer needed, it’s often sent straight to landfill. But here’s the truth: when you start thinking of office furniture as a strategic asset within the circular economy , everything changes. For your budget . Your carbon reporting . Your project timelines . Your reputation . This article is for you if you’re tired of defaulting to skips. If you want smarter ways to meet ESG goals without blowing your budget. If you’re ready to make office sustainability a measurable advantage - not just a checkbox. We’ll show you just how much office furniture is wasted each year, what it’s really costing your business, and how the circular economy can apply directly to your projects. You’ll learn how organisations like yours are saving thousands, avoiding skips entirely, and turning unwanted furniture into reportable ESG wins - plus practical steps to get started today. Curious what your office clearance could be worth? Get in touch with our team for a free circular furniture audit.