Rental, Refurbishment & Take-Back in Office Furniture

As the circular economy gains traction, it’s not just how products are designed that’s changing – it’s also how they’re owned, used, and returned. A growing number of businesses are shifting to circular business models, where value is created through services, longevity, and flexibility, rather than through ownership alone.

This page introduces three key circular business models already transforming the office furniture sector: rental, refurbishment, and take-back schemes.

1. Furniture as a Service (FaaS)

Instead of buying furniture outright, companies rent or lease it – much like leasing a car. Suppliers remain responsible for the furniture throughout its lifecycle.

How it works:

• You pay a monthly or quarterly fee

• The supplier provides furniture (often refurbished)

• Maintenance, repairs, and end-of-life recovery are included

• Items can be swapped or scaled up/down as needed

Benefits:

• Lower upfront cost

• Reduced waste at end-of-use

• Greater flexibility during growth, downsizing, or moves

• Encourages suppliers to build for durability

 "It’s in the supplier’s best interest to design long-lasting, repairable furniture – because they keep ownership of it."

2. Refurbishment & Remanufacture

These models focus on extending the life of existing furniture by repairing, replacing, or refreshing components.

Business Benefits:

• Typically 40–70% cheaper than new

• Can be customised to current branding or layouts

• Reduces lead times and carbon footprint

Circular Benefit:

• Keeps furniture in use longer

• Recovers valuable materials and avoids landfill

3. Take-Back Schemes

Some manufacturers and suppliers now offer take-back programmes  where they reclaim used furniture at the end of its life.

How it works:

• The supplier collects used items (sometimes for a credit or discount)

• Products are assessed, repaired or recycled appropriately

• Some schemes include certification or traceability

Why it’s useful:

• Makes responsible disposal easy for businesses

• Reduces illegal dumping or mixed-waste skips

• Enables genuine circular loops

“Our office move generated zero furniture waste – everything went back into the supply chain.”

Comparing the Models

Case Example: Circular Fit-Out

A London-based architecture firm:

• Leased refurbished workstations for a 2-year project site

• Returned them after the project ended

• Achieved £20k in savings and diverted 95% of waste from landfill

Key Takeaways

• Circular business models reduce waste while offering cost and flexibility advantages.

• Renting and refurbishing furniture is now mainstream, not niche.

• Take-back schemes make it easier for businesses to dispose of items responsibly.



• Choosing a circular model aligns with modern procurement and ESG strategies.

Test your knowledge of rental, refurbishment, and take-back schemes — and how they’re reshaping the way we use office furniture.