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The Hidden Costs of Landfill: Why Recycling Office Furniture Saves Money

Ida Gorecka • December 3, 2024

As an office removal specialist, you're no stranger to the mountains of furniture and equipment that accumulate during a typical relocation project. Desks, chairs, filing cabinets - it's a constant stream of waste that can quickly add up, both in terms of disposal costs and environmental impact.


But what if we told you there's a better way? At Coggin SOS, we believe that instead of sending all that office furniture to the landfill, we can work together to find smarter, more sustainable solutions that benefit your business, your clients, and the planet.

The Real Cost of Sending Office Furniture to Landfill in the UK

When you factor in the expenses associated with landfill disposal, the economics quickly become untenable. Consider the sheer volume of office furniture that ends up in landfills each year - the UK discards approximately 1.2 million chairs and 1.8 million desks annually. The cost of transporting and processing all of that waste adds up fast. 


In fact, the average cost of landfill disposal in the UK ranges from £80 to £120 per ton of waste. For a typical office clearance that might involve 10 tons of furniture, those charges can easily reach £800 to £1,200.


Then there are the landfill fees themselves, which can vary widely depending on your location but are generally on the rise as environmental regulations tighten. In some regions, you could be looking at upwards of £100 per ton of waste. For a typical office clearance, those charges can easily reach four figures or more.


But the real cost of landfill goes beyond just the monetary toll. There's also the environmental impact to consider. The manufacturing of new office furniture from virgin materials is an energy-intensive process, generating considerable carbon emissions throughout the supply chain.


Our goal at Coggin SOS is to eliminate these costs for your business. Contact us today to explore how we give new life to office furniture, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.

A More Sustainable Approach to Office Furniture Disposal

At Coggin SOS, we provide a tailored recycling and refurbishment service to transform your office clearances into sustainable, cost-effective operations. We assess each piece, identifying items for refurbishment and responsibly recycling others. Here's how partnering with us benefits your business:


Avoiding Disposal Fees

When you collaborate with our team, you sidestep the hefty fees associated with landfill disposal. We handle the entire furniture clearance process, recycling or refurbishing every item to ensure zero waste ends up in the landfill. This directly translates to cost savings that boost your bottom line.


Attracting Eco-Conscious Clients

Corporate clients increasingly demand green solutions. By choosing Coggin SOS, you position yourself as the go-to partner for environmentally responsible waste management, differentiating your services from competitors.


Reducing Relocation Hassles

With our on-site processes, you streamline operations, reduce labour, and avoid logistical complications. We coordinate everything, reducing risks of delays, so you can keep relocation projects on track.

Working Alongside Office Removal Teams for 100% Recycling

We know that efficiency and simplicity are key for your team. That’s why our services are designed to integrate seamlessly into your operations. Together, we can achieve 100% recycling of materials. Here's how:


Collection and Assessment


Our trained professionals assess your office furniture to determine what can be refurbished or recycled. This upfront evaluation maximises resource recovery, ensuring we get the most out of your materials.

Processing and Recycling of Office Waste


Once collected, furniture is broken down into components that can be reused or recycled. We make it our mission to ensure valuable resources are redirected back into the economy, minimising waste in the process.

Local Processing of Office Furniture


All processing occurs at our dedicated facility in the UK. This not only reduces transportation emissions but also supports local job creation, reinforcing our commitment to the community.

We believe in transparency and are excited to showcase our facilities and work to you. Everything we do is aimed at making our recycling process clear and accessible. Our dedicated team of recyclers and refurbishers is passionate about what they do, ensuring that every item is handled with care. Interested in our process? Reach out to us to arrange a facility tour!

Reporting on Collections and Orders for Compliance Management

One of the advantages of partnering with Coggin SOS is our comprehensive reporting system. After every collection, we provide you with detailed reports and certificates outlining the materials diverted from landfills. This not only demonstrates your commitment to sustainability but also helps you in compliance management.


These reports serve as proof of your organisation’s efforts to reduce waste and carbon emissions. They can be easily shared with clients and stakeholders, showcasing your dedication to responsible waste management and your role in fostering a sustainable future. For more information, contact us here.

Collaborating to Reduce Office Furniture Waste

We understand that creating a sustainable future requires collaboration. We’re here to support you every step of the way. We can confirm that we can take all your office waste and provide comprehensive reports for every job completed, allowing you to celebrate your success. Your partnership with us can lead to innovative solutions that not only enhance your business’s sustainability practices but also set a standard for others to follow.


To begin redefining your office waste management, contact us today.

End of Financial Year Facilities Management: How to Use Your Remaining Budget with Refurbished Office Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • March 26, 2025
March is almost over, and for facilities managers and teams, that means one thing: the pressure to allocate your remaining budget before it disappears. You've spent the past year balancing costs and keeping your work schedule running smoothly. Now, with time running out, you face a choice: panic-buy to use up funds or invest in something that delivers long-term value . Too often, last-minute spending leads to low-quality purchases and missed opportunities. But with the right approach and investment, you can update your offerings, improve ESG credentials, and save money long-term. Refurbished office furniture offers an excellent way to achieve all three goals. In fact, the UK's sustainable office furniture market is experiencing a compound annual growth rate exceeding 5% , reflecting a shift towards eco-friendly business practices. Book a no-obligation chat with our team to see how refurbished office furniture could work in your space.

Government Office Furniture Assets: End of Year Investment Strategy with Sustainable Options

By Ida Gorecka • March 24, 2025
The financial year-end is approaching quickly. As budgets are finalised and procurement decisions loom, that familiar "use it or lose it" pressure creates a real dilemma for procurement professionals like you. You need smart investments that deliver genuine value, not hasty purchases that waste resources. While juggling procurement frameworks, sustainability targets, and public spending oversight, you need practical options. Premium refurbished office furniture offers the ideal solution that ticks every box on your procurement checklist while helping you beat that March budget deadline. Let's take a closer look at how this office furniture strategy can turn budget pressure into a genuine win for your department.

Understanding the Circular Economy in Office Furniture: A Comprehensive Analysis

By Ida Gorecka • March 20, 2025
Did you know that the way we design, use, and dispose of old office furniture is at a crossroads? With growing environmental concerns, tightening regulations, and shifting corporate sustainability goals, businesses can no longer afford to overlook the impact of their office fit-outs. The traditional 'take-make-dispose' model is outdated - and it's costing you money.  Modern organisations are shifting toward a more sustainable model , one where office desks, chairs, and storage units are reused, refurbished , or recycled instead of ending up in landfills and polluting our environment. This approach, called the circular economy , is all about getting the most value out of materials while reducing waste and cutting carbon emissions. Find out more about the circular economy and how it relates to your business here . But how does it actually work for your business? Let's break it down.
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