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 desks and 1.8 million chairs 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.

Why Now is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Office Furniture

February 18, 2025
As the end of the fiscal year approaches, many SMEs are facing a familiar challenge-how to use up remaining budgets before March 31st . One area that often gets overlooked? Office furniture. It’s a big expense, and many businesses either put off upgrading or settle for quick, low-quality solutions that don't really meet their needs. But there’s a better way to refresh your office without breaking the bank. Whether you decide to refurbish the furniture you already have or buy high-quality refurbished pieces , there’s an affordable, sustainable solution right at your fingertips. And, by making this choice before the end of the fiscal year, you’re setting yourself up for a smarter, more efficient office in the long run.

Achieving a Sustainable Office: 3 Easy Steps to Reduce Your Office’s Carbon Footprint

By Ida Gorecka • February 13, 2025
Did you know buildings, including offices, are responsible for nearly 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions? Many businesses don’t realise that office furniture is a big part of that problem. Consumers are noticing too: 85% prefer eco-conscious brands, and 34% are willing to pay more for sustainable products ( source ). If you’re not thinking about sustainability , you are falling behind. But contrary to what most businesses assume, creating a sustainable office doesn’t mean a huge overhaul or extra costs. In fact, it can save you lots of money. At Coggin SOS, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses go green and we can help you too. Here are three easy steps to help you save both money and carbon emissions on your next office furniture project.

How Facilities Services Can Contribute to a Circular Economy with Furniture Recycling

By Ida Gorecka • February 11, 2025
Our approach to furnishing workspaces is changing as part of a collective effort to reverse the projected 70% increase in global waste by 2050 . Design trends are constantly changing, and as companies race to keep up it can be challenging to keep up with the newest trends in office furniture. However, this constant cycle results in millions of office furniture pieces getting unnecessarily discarded every year when, with the right expertise, they could be repurposed, reused, or recycled. What can we do to reverse this trend? Facility Managers must help to embed circular economy thought processes into procurement and disposal strategies, across the entire supply chain. While recycling paper and reducing energy consumption are common strategies, one area that is often overlooked as a source of sustainable credentials is office furniture. By embracing furniture recycling and refurbishment , facility managers can make smarter , more sustainable choices that help reduce waste, cut costs, and ensure premium-quality office designs, often without the lengthy lead times that accompany new furniture purchases. If you haven’t considered refurbished furniture before, you are in the right place to discover why they should be your obvious choice for your next project. But even if you have considered it, keep reading for valuable insights into how refurbished furniture can improve sustainability initiatives, maximise cost savings, and support long-term business goals.
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