How Eco-Unfriendly is Your Office Furniture? Delving into its Carbon Footprint

Sam Coggin • September 18, 2023

Did you know that the office furniture industry is responsible for a considerable amount of carbon emissions, contributing to climate change? By reusing and refurbishing office furniture, we can reduce the carbon footprint, conserve resources, and save money.


This educational guide will explore the environmental impact of office furniture and highlight the benefits of adopting sustainable practices in your workplace.


Section 1: The Carbon Footprint of Office Furniture


1.1 Material extraction and production


  • Office furniture is often made from materials like wood, metal, and plastic, which require energy-intensive extraction and production processes.
  • The carbon emissions from these processes contribute to global warming and resource depletion.


1.2 Transportation and distribution


  • The transportation of raw materials and finished products contributes to the carbon footprint of office furniture.
  • This includes emissions from shipping, trucking, and other forms of transportation, which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.


Section 2: Benefits of Reusing and Refurbishing Office Furniture


2.1 Reducing carbon emissions


  • Reusing and refurbishing office furniture extends its life, reducing the need for new materials and production processes.
  • This directly lowers carbon emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing, and transportation of office furniture.


2.2 Conserving resources


  • Reusing and refurbishing office furniture reduces waste and conserves valuable resources such as wood, metal, and plastic.
  • This helps to protect our planet's limited resources and promote sustainability in the workplace.


2.3 Cost savings


  • Refurbishing existing office furniture can be significantly more cost-effective than purchasing new items.
  • Businesses can save money on furniture expenses while also contributing to a greener office environment.


Section 3: Tips for Reusing and Refurbishing Office Furniture


3.1 Assessing and planning


  • Evaluate the condition of your current office furniture to determine what can be reused or refurbished.
  • Develop a plan for refurbishing and updating your office furniture to maximise its potential.


3.2 Choosing sustainable materials


  • When refurbishing office furniture, opt for sustainable, eco-friendly materials and finishes.
  • Look for non-toxic, low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, stains, and adhesives to minimise indoor air pollution and promote a healthier work environment.


3.3 Partnering with professionals


  • Collaborate with office furniture refurbishing experts to ensure that your furniture is given a new life in the most sustainable way possible.
  • These professionals have the knowledge, skills, and equipment to properly refurbish and update your office furniture.


The carbon footprint of office furniture is an important aspect of overall environmental impact. By reusing and refurbishing office furniture, businesses can reduce their carbon emissions, conserve resources, and save money. Implementing sustainable practices in the workplace is not only good for the planet, but it also contributes to a more positive and productive work environment.

Item Estimated average carbon footprint (kgCO2e)
Task Chair 72kg
Visitor Chair 36kg
Desk High Pedestal 28kg
Bookcase 18kg
Wooden Filing Cabinet 48kg
Tambour Unit 50kg
Steel Pedestal 44kg
Wood Cupboard 31kg
Rectangular Desk 35kg
Sofa 90kg
Armchair 43kg

Data provided by Fira - Carbon Footprinting

Coggin Sustainable Office Solutions is a leading provider of sustainable office furnishing services in the UK. Our mission is to support businesses in reducing their carbon footprint by providing eco-friendly alternatives to traditional office furniture acquisition and disposal methods. We specialise in refurbishing office furniture, reupholstering office seating, resizing office desks, and offering zero landfill office clearance services. By partnering with Coggin Sustainable Office Solutions, businesses can create greener office environments while receiving value back from their existing assets.


Section 4: Coggin Sustainable Office Solutions' Services


4.1 Refurbished Office Furniture


  • We offer a wide range of high-quality, pre-owned office furniture that has been professionally refurbished to extend its lifespan.
  • Our refurbished office furniture provides a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new items, enabling businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and save money.


4.2 Office Seating Refurbishment


  • Our expert team can reupholster and replace worn components in your existing office seating, giving them a fresh new look and feel.
  • This service not only reduces waste but also offers an opportunity to customise the appearance of your office furniture to match your brand and style.


4.3 Office Desk Resizing Service


  • As businesses grow and change, their office space needs may evolve as well. Our desk resizing service allows you to modify your existing desks to fit new layouts or accommodate more employees.
  • This service eliminates the need to purchase new desks, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable office environment.


4.4 Zero Landfill Office Clearance Service


  • Our zero landfill office clearance service ensures that your unwanted office furniture is disposed of responsibly, with no items sent to landfill sites.
  • We offer a rebate system for the furniture we can sell on, giving businesses an opportunity to recoup some of the value from their old furniture.
  • For items that are not fit for reuse, we break them down into their base materials, which are then recycled to the highest possible standard, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability.
  • Our zero landfill office clearance service ensures that your unwanted office furniture is disposed of responsibly, with no items sent to landfill sites.
  • We offer a rebate system for the furniture we can sell on, giving businesses an opportunity to recoup some of the value from their old furniture.
  • For items that are not fit for reuse, we break them down into their base materials, which are then recycled to the highest possible standard, further enhancing our commitment to sustainability.
  • In addition to our recycling efforts, we proudly support local charities by donating cleared office furniture that is still in good condition. This initiative not only diverts furniture from landfills but also provides valuable resources to community organisations in need.
  • By partnering with local charities, we are able to extend the life of office furniture while giving back to the communities we serve. This collaboration strengthens our mission to create a more sustainable and socially responsible office environment.


Coggin Sustainable Office Solutions is dedicated to helping businesses across the UK reduce their carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly office practices. Our range of services, including refurbished office furniture, office seating refurbishment, office desk resizing, and zero landfill office clearance, provide cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to traditional office furnishing methods. By choosing Coggin Sustainable Office Solutions, businesses can create more sustainable work environments, contribute to a greener future, and receive value back from their existing office assets.

Did you find this article interesting? Continue that interest and contact us today to learn more.

Why Buying Cheap Costs More: The Long-Term Value of Quality Refurbished Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • July 30, 2025
You’re in the middle of planning an office space. Budgets are tight. Lead times are short. It’s tempting to type “cheap office chairs” into your browser and find something that fits the spreadsheet. But here’s the problem: cheap furniture is rarely cheap in the long run . The market is saturated with budget desks, chairs, and storage that look good online, but fall apart in practice. And when they do, they cost more - more to replace, more to dispose of, more to fix (if that’s even possible), and more in lost time and productivity. It’s a vicious cycle that undermines your budget, timeline, and any potential ESG goals. According to WRAP , the UK disposes of over 200,000 tonnes of office furniture every year - much of it barely used. When furniture fails quickly, so does your investment. In a commercial setting, that failure shows up in missed deadlines, spiralling budgets, and sustainability goals slipping out of reach. So before you hit "order" on another bulk buy of flat-packed furniture, take a moment. In this article, you'll learn the hidden costs of cheap office furniture and why refurbished premium office furniture is the smarter alternative. If you're looking to reduce hassle, save money, and build a workspace that actually lasts, keep on reading. Need help getting started? Get in touch with our team for advice, audits, or to browse our refurbished stock .

Refurbished Office Furniture Saves Overbury Over £2000 on Site Setup Costs

By Ida Gorecka • July 18, 2025
Anyone who's worked in construction knows that site setup costs can quickly spiral. For Overbury , one of the UK's leading fit-out and refurbishment specialists, managing these costs while maintaining professional standards is a constant balancing act. When setting up their latest construction site office, they faced a challenge familiar to many in the industry: creating a functional workspace quickly and cost-effectively. After seeing what we achieved together on their previous project, Overbury approached us with clear priorities - they needed a professional office setup delivered on a construction timeline. With tight deadlines to meet and costs to manage, they needed their office space ready quickly while avoiding the expense and environmental impact of buying new office furniture. Like many construction projects, this one came with complex requirements - specific layouts, tight timelines, and budget constraints - yet Overbury knew from experience that refurbished office furniture could deliver exactly what they needed.

From Purchase to Repurpose: How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Office Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • July 16, 2025
If you're managing an office move, refit, or hybrid transition, you've likely faced this question: do we buy new furniture, or make use of what we have? Every year, over 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million office chairs are sent to landfill in the UK- enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice. ( Source: WRAP ) With Landfill Tax raised to £126.15 per tonne in April 2025 (S ource: UK Government ), the cost of disposing office furniture is increasing fast. If you’re trying to balance budgets , meet ESG goals , and minimise downtime , choosing refurbishment over replacement could be the most strategic decision you make this year. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get more from what you already own. Saving thousands, supporting your ESG goals, and creating a more flexible, future-proof workspace. Got a project coming up? Get in touch and we’ll help you explore your refurbishment options.