2023 Impact Report on Reusing and Recycling Office Furniture

Sam Coggin • January 22, 2025

Sustainable Furnishings, Brighter Future: The Positive Impact of Office Furniture Reuse and Recycling in 2023

Our initiatives in refurbishing and repurposing office furniture have delivered substantial environmental benefits in 2023. Through our services, we have achieved a significant reduction in carbon emissions, underscoring the importance of circular economy practices in the corporate environment. This report breaks down the tangible impacts of our work, providing a clearer understanding of the environmental savings for stakeholders.


Key Achievements


  • Refurbished/Repurposed Furniture: 5,793 items
  • Recycled Furniture: 11,834 items
  • Material Recycled: Over 549,000 kg
  • Carbon Reduction: 1,137,834 kg CO2e


Detailed Breakdown of Items Reused


  • Seating: 1,787 items; 128,664 kg CO2e saved
  • Desks: 583 items; 20,405 kg CO2e saved
  • Tables: 83 items; 2,905 kg CO2e saved
  • Storage: 386 items; 19,300 kg CO2e saved


Refurbishment Impact


  • Desks: 1,476 refurbished, saving 51,660 kg CO2e
  • Chairs: 1,365 refurbished, saving 98,280 kg CO2e


Recycling and Material Breakdown


  • Office Seating: 4,946 items
  • Desks and Tables: 3,283 items
  • Storage Units: 1,369 items
  • Miscellaneous Furniture: 2,236 items


Materials Recycled:


  • 167,000 kg of metal (217,100 kg CO2e saved)
  • 115,000 kg of plastic (322,000 kg CO2e saved)
  • 200,000 kg of wood (220,000 kg CO2e saved)
  • 30,000 kg of general waste (24,000 kg CO2e saved)
  • 34,000 kg of POPs (27,200 kg CO2e saved)
  • 3,160 kg of cardboard (6,320 kg CO2e saved)


Understanding Carbon Savings: Making Sense of the Numbers


Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) is a measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global-warming potential.

To contextualise the CO2e reduction our efforts have facilitated:


  • Equivalent to Annual Emissions: The 1,137,834 kg CO2e saved is akin to the carbon sequestered by over 18,935 trees grown for ten years in an urban environment.
  • Vehicle Emissions: It's comparable to removing approximately 247 average passenger vehicles from the road for a year.
  • Energy Usage: This savings corresponds to the energy used to power about 195 homes for one year.


The Importance of Recycling Metals


Energy and Carbon Savings


  • Steel: Recycling steel uses 60-74% less energy than producing new steel from raw materials, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
  • Energy Equivalents: For every kilogram of light iron recycled, roughly 1.3 kilograms of CO2 emissions are saved.


Resource Conservation


  • Recycling a ton of steel conserves 1.8 tons of iron ore, 0.6 tons of coal, and 0.05 tons of limestone, reinforcing the circular economy and diminishing the environmental impact of new material extraction.

Recycling Plastics and Other Materials


  • Plastics: Recycling plastics like PP can reduce emissions by up to 80-90% compared to virgin production.
  • RDF and Biofuels: Utilising refuse-derived fuel and biofuels from materials like melamine-faced chipboard can displace fossil fuel use and avoid methane emissions from landfills.


Conclusions


The strides taken in recycling and refurbishing office furniture have not only resulted in considerable material reuse but have also contributed to substantial environmental savings. These activities directly contribute to the reduction of waste, conservation of resources, and a decrease in the demand for virgin material production, thereby playing a critical role in combating climate change.


Our continuous commitment to sustainable practices in office refurbishments and waste management exemplifies the potential of responsible business practices to make a real-world impact. The data presented in this report emphasizes the positive environmental outcomes of our initiatives and the importance of expanding such efforts in the corporate sector.

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

By Ida Gorecka April 17, 2025
Did you know that as a removal company, you're missing out on thousands of pounds in potential revenue every time you let old office furniture head to landfill? With over 300 tonnes of used office furniture entering UK landfills daily, your clients are starting to expect more than just transportation from A to B - they want complete, environmentally responsible solutions that protect them from legal liability and fuel their ESG goals. Read this article to find out more about the hidden costs of landfill and why office furniture recycling can save you money and time. Let's break down five essential things you should know before disposing of old office furniture to increase your profits and meet your clients' evolving needs.
By Ida Gorecka April 14, 2025
Every business eventually faces the same issue-what to do with old office furniture? Whether you're upgrading, downsizing, or simply refreshing your workspace, the fate of your redundant office furniture matters. Instead of sending it straight to landfill , there are smarter , more cost-effective ways to manage it. By making the right choices, you can save money, align with your company's ESG goals, and do your part to support the circular economy . Here are five easy and sustainable solutions to help you responsibly manage your old office furniture. Want to learn more about sustainable office furniture options and how they can save you money and time? Get in touch with us at Coggin SOS today.
By Ida Gorecka April 9, 2025
Did you know premium office chairs are designed to last 15+ years, yet most are replaced every 5 ? As a facilities manager balancing workspace planning, budget, and sustainability goals, you're constantly challenged to deliver quality affordably. What if you could cut furniture costs in half without compromising quality or ESG targets? Today's refurbished office furniture isn't what you might imagine. Modern refurbishment transforms quality second-hand pieces to look and perform like new, while saving money and reducing your carbon footprint. How can you ensure you're getting genuine quality when choosing refurbished pieces? Let's break down what you should expect when sourcing second-hand office furniture for your next project.