Why Sustainability is the Future of Office Fit-Outs

Ida Gorecka • November 19, 2024

As a business leader or office manager, you recognise that creating an inspiring workspace goes beyond just aesthetics. With the increasing emphasis on sustainability, your choice of office fit-out can largely influence not only your brand image but also the environment.

Both clients and employees are drawn to companies that prioritise eco-friendly practices. By integrating sustainable solutions, such as second-hand furniture and recycled materials, into your office design, you can demonstrate your commitment to a greener future while also enhancing employee well-being and productivity.

The Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions

Did you know that 88% of consumers are more likely to support brands that take a stand on social issues, especially sustainability? This trend is particularly noticeable in office settings, where businesses face increasing scrutiny over their environmental practices.

For fit-out companies, this presents a unique opportunity. By incorporating refurbished office furniture into your designs, you position yourself as a forward-thinking partner aligned with the values of your clients. The market for refurbished office furniture is thriving; the UK used office furniture market was valued at around £1.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow as more companies adopt sustainable practices.

By choosing refurbished office furniture, you can exceed client expectations and clearly demonstrate your company's commitment to sustainability. It illustrates that your company values environmental responsibility, which resonates with clients keen to showcase their commitment to the environment. In fact, businesses that use sustainable materials can reduce their carbon footprint by as much as 50% - an appealing prospect for clients looking to prove their corporate responsibility.

At Coggin SOS, we specialise in providing high-quality refurbished office furniture that meets the demands of modern businesses. If you're curious about how incorporating these solutions can benefit your projects, contact us today.

The Impact of Office Furniture on the Environment

The statistics are staggering, particularly in the UK, where an alarming amount of furniture is discarded each year. Data reveals that over 1.2 million office chairs and 1.8 million office desks are sent to waste sites annually. This disposal not only contributes to overflowing landfills but also to pollution and the depletion of natural resources, exacerbating the environmental crisis we face today.

Landfills are a major source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. Office furniture, constructed from durable materials, can take decades to decompose once discarded. Studies reveal that approximately 80-90% of manufactured furniture ultimately reaches these waste sites, underscoring the urgent need for better waste management solutions.

A key driver of this waste is the culture of "fast furniture," which promotes low-cost, disposable products that often lack the durability to last over time. This cycle of production and disposal not only leads to increased landfill waste but also results in a higher carbon footprint, with new furniture production generating up to 1000 times more CO2 compared to refurbishing existing items.

Embracing Green Office Trends

Incorporating sustainable office furniture into your fit-out projects allows you to tap into the latest green office trends. Features like energy-efficient lighting, biophilic design, and sustainable materials are not just popular; they’re what clients are actively looking for. According to the World Green Building Council, green buildings can improve productivity by 8-11% and increase employee well-being by 13%. These benefits boost business success in any sector.

Using recycled office desks, chairs, and furnishings not only adds value to your projects but also appeals to clients who want to foster healthier and more productive workplaces for their teams. Plus, customising refurbished pieces allows you to create designs that not only look great but also align with your clients’ brand values. Feel free to contact us for more information on how to integrate these sustainable elements into your designs.

The Circular Economy: A New Mindset

The circular economy is an economic model designed to minimise waste and make the most of resources. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a 'take-make-dispose' pattern, the circular economy emphasises the continuous use of resources, keeping them in circulation for as long as possible. This approach aims to create a closed-loop system where waste is reduced, materials are reused, and environmental impact is minimised.

Meeting Client Expectations in Sustainability

As sustainability becomes a critical factor in decision-making, having a comprehensive plan for office clearance and responsible waste management is essential. More clients are now looking for fit-out companies that can help them achieve their corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. By integrating recycling office furniture into your projects, you not only help clients meet these goals but also enhance their overall office environment.

Sustainable disposal of old furniture minimises landfill costs and ensures compliance with UK regulations, allowing you to focus your budget on high-impact areas of your fit-out project. By prioritising eco-friendly practices, you demonstrate to clients that you are a responsible partner committed to their success.

After processing a collection or fulfilling an order, we provide detailed reports and certificates for you that highlight the sustainable practices involved in the project. These documents are valuable for your company’s sustainability reporting and can be shared with clients to demonstrate your commitment to reducing waste and supporting a circular economy.

For assistance with reporting or to learn more about how we can help you meet your sustainability goals, reach out to us here.

Office Furniture That Powers Your Sustainable Vision

In the UK, more businesses are adopting sustainable practices as a core part of their strategies, and at Coggin SOS, we're proud to support this circular economy. We ensure that the office furniture we refurbish goes back into use, giving each piece a second life, while responsibly disassembling and recycling items that cannot be saved. By integrating recycled and refurbished furniture into your designs, you position yourself as a forward-thinking partner and tap into a growing market of eco-conscious clients.

What's in it for you?

By partnering with us, you're not just choosing high-quality refurbished furniture; you're enhancing your reputation as a leader in sustainability. Our approach enables you to offer your clients beautiful, functional workspaces that reflect their commitment to the environment - a powerful selling point in today's market. Your clients will appreciate the transparency in your sourcing, knowing they are making a responsible choice that contributes to waste reduction and supports the circular economy. This commitment leads to increased client satisfaction, fostering long-term relationships and repeat business. With each restored piece, we're reshaping industry standards while strengthening your market position

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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.