Reducing Waste During Office Moves: How Recycling Furniture Helps

Ida Gorecka • November 12, 2024

Office relocations can be difficult, and one of the biggest hurdles is what to do with unwanted furniture. Each move can result in heaps of discarded desks, chairs, and storage units, items that are often still in good condition. This waste not only adds to disposal costs but also fuels the growing problem of landfill waste.


However, there’s a more sustainable solution that not only eases your moving process but also enhances your corporate responsibility: recycling office furniture. Here’s how choosing this approach can transform your office move into an opportunity for both efficiency and sustainability.

A Growing Waste Problem: The Impact of Office Relocations

In the UK alone, it’s estimated that over 300 tons of office furniture are sent to landfills every single day. The Environmental Audit Committee also highlighted that the UK’s commercial furniture sector generates around 1.2 million tons of waste annually. A lot of this waste comes from businesses relocating offices, leading to a surge in discarded items that could be reused or refurbished.


This traditional “out with the old, in with the new” mentality comes at a steep price, both in terms of cost and sustainability. With sustainability becoming a top priority for many businesses, recycling offers a way to turn this waste problem into an opportunity, and at Coggin SOS, we’re here to change the scene.

Why Choose Office Furniture Recycling?

Office furniture recycling isn’t just about being eco-friendly. It’s also a sound business decision that comes with many benefits:


1. Saving Costs

Disposing of old furniture can be surprisingly expensive. Recycling, however, helps to cut those disposal costs. And it’s not just about getting rid of old items. Opting for refurbised office furniture to outfit your new space can deliver considerable savings. High-quality, second-hand office desks and chairs can cost up to 80% less than buying new, all without sacrificing durability or style.

2. A Practical Approach to Sustainability

With sustainability at the forefront of many corporate policies, opting for refurbished office furniture supports the circular economy. It reduces the need for raw materials and minimises carbon emissions. By partnering with Coggin SOS, you can ensure that your choices align with both your budget and your commitment to responsible practices. 


3. Reliable Quality, Short Lead Times

Time is often tight during an office move, and long lead times for new furniture can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Opting for refurbished office furniture eliminates that problem. At Coggin SOS, we maintain a wide selection of second-hand office desks, chairs, and storage, all ready for immediate delivery. Our furniture has been carefully refurbished to meet high standards, ensuring that it looks and performs just like new, without the delay or high price tag.


This means projects can stay on track and on budget, giving you the flexibility to focus on other important elements of the move. And if you need a specific style or setup, we can help you find the perfect solution from our constantly updated inventory.

A Sustainable Approach to Office Clearances

At Coggin SOS, we are passionate about providing zero-landfill solutions that address common pain points during office relocations. Our comprehensive services are designed to manage office furniture responsibly from start to finish.


1. On-Site Assessment and Collection

Our team conducts detailed on-site evaluations to determine what can be recycled, refurbished, or reused. This early sorting ensures that valuable items are managed properly, avoiding unnecessary waste. Our goal is to make the process as efficient and eco-friendly as possible from the beginning.


2. Refurbishment and Recycling

Items that are still in good condition are carefully refurbished for reuse, while materials that can’t be reused are dismantled and recycled on our site. This method conserves resources and prevents tons of office furniture from ending up in landfill.


3. Local Processing

We focus on local solutions. By processing materials within the UK, we reduce transport emissions and support local job creation in the recycling and refurbishment industry. This local-first approach minimises environmental impact while boosting the UK economy.


4. Transparency and Reporting

We believe in transparency. Each partner receives a detailed sustainability report highlighting waste diverted from landfills, carbon emissions saved, and resources recovered. This data not only tracks environmental impact but also allows businesses to showcase their commitment to greener practices to clients and stakeholders. Reach out to us to find out more about our savings reports and certificates.

How to Make Office Furniture Recycling Part of Your Move

Implementing an effective recycling strategy doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how you can make it work:


1. Conduct an Inventory Audit

Start by evaluating your current office furniture. Identify items that are worth keeping, refurbishing, or recycling. This audit helps reduce waste, uncover potential savings, and identify opportunities for recycling.


2. Partner with Coggin SOS

Choosing a professional recycling partner simplifies the process. At Coggin SOS, we manage everything from office furniture clearance to refurbishment, ensuring that your move meets sustainability goals and aligns with regulatory requirements.


3. Opt for Second-Hand Office Furniture

Outfitting your new space with refurbished, second-hand furniture is a practical, budget-friendly choice. Our wide selection of office desks, chairs, and storage solutions offers the same quality assurance you’d expect from new items, often with warranties to provide additional peace of mind. Feel free to contact us to see what we currently have in stock.


4. Showcase Your Sustainability Efforts

Highlight your commitment to sustainability by sharing your recycling efforts with clients and partners. This can enhance your company’s reputation as a forward-thinking, environmentally conscious business, resonating with stakeholders who value green practices.

Benefits Summary of Recycling Office Furniture

  • Lower Disposal Costs: Recycling cuts down on landfill fees and avoids potential fines related to improper disposal.


  • Reduced Environmental Impact: Every desk or chair recycled represents raw materials that weren’t consumed, cutting carbon emissions.



  • Enhanced Client Appeal: Offering eco-friendly office relocations that include recycled office furniture sets you apart as a business that aligns with modern values.

Choose Sustainability with Coggin SOS

What if your next office move could do more than just shift furniture? What if it could serve as a powerful statement about your commitment to sustainability?


By partnering with us for your office furniture recycling and refurbishment, you not only tackle the high costs associated with disposal but also take a proactive step toward environmental responsibility. Our tailored solutions help you reduce waste, comply with regulations, and meet your clients’ growing demands for sustainable practices, all while maintaining a stylish and functional workspace.


Don’t let your office move become another statistic. Get in touch today, and let's discuss how we can assist you in making your relocation both efficient and eco-friendly.

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.