Why Sustainability Matters

Ida Gorecka • September 17, 2024

‘Did you know that choosing second-hand or refurbished office furniture can save around 50% of the carbon emissions that would be generated from creating new furniture?’


In today's world, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it's a necessity. Every choice we make can either contribute to environmental degradation or help preserve the planet for future generations. One often overlooked area where businesses can make a significant impact is through the recycling and refurbishment of office furniture. By choosing to buy refurbished furniture, you’re doing more than clearing out old furniture. You’re actively reducing your carbon footprint and conserving valuable resources. 

The Impact of Recycling Office Furniture

Recycling or refurbishing office furniture goes far beyond simply reusing old chairs and desks. It directly contributes to reducing carbon emissions. Did you know that choosing second-hand or refurbished office furniture can save around 50% of the carbon emissions that would be generated from creating new furniture? This reduction not only helps combat climate change but also reduces the demand for raw materials. 


For example, by saving 22,645 kg of carbon emissions through recycling, you're reducing the equivalent of 250,000 miles driven by a car. This is also enough energy to power 26 homes for an entire year! These numbers clearly illustrate that small changes can have a large environmental impact.

How We Help You Measure Your Carbon Savings

Every time you recycle, buy refurbished furniture, or refurbish your own, we provide you with a certificate that outlines the carbon savings you’ve achieved. We also make these savings relatable by converting them into familiar terms, like the number of miles driven or the amount of energy saved. 


To make things even more transparent, we offer detailed reports comparing your carbon savings to the emissions that would have resulted from buying new furniture. These reports can be tailored to focus on what matters most to you and can be shared with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) managers or business teams to aid in emissions reporting and compliance.

The Benefits of a Zero-Landfill Policy

Our commitment to sustainability doesn’t stop at recycling. We’re proud to maintain a zero-landfill policy, which means that as much furniture as possible is reused or refurbished. For items that can’t be reused, we break them down into component parts, recycling them back into the manufacturing process for new products.


Recent advancements in recycling technology have made it possible to process materials that were previously difficult to handle. For instance, polypropylene and nylon (polyamide) - materials commonly found in office chairs—can now be shredded and reused, diverting waste from landfills and reducing the need for new raw materials.


With your help, we’re committed to a zero-landfill policy. While not everything can be recycled, we strive to process every item possible. The recycling industry is continuously evolving, making it possible to handle materials that were previously difficult to recycle.

Transparency: See the Impact for Yourself

You deserve to see exactly how your choices are making a difference. That’s why we’re committed to complete transparency, openly sharing every step of our recycling process. Our sustainability experts carefully measure and report on the environmental impact of our recycling efforts, ensuring that you can trust the results. 


But we don’t want to just tell you about it—we want you to experience it firsthand. Partners are welcome to visit sites, tour our yard, and see our team in action. Ask questions, and witness the positive effects of your decisions, as and when you want to. 

Building a Greener Future Together

At Coggin SOS, sustainability is not just a business strategy - It’s a legacy. We are determined to grow while keeping our environmental values at the core of everything we do. Our commitment doesn’t stop with office furniture recycling. In the near future, we plan to extend our sustainability efforts to local causes, broadening the positive impact we have on both the environment and our communities. 


As we look to the future, we envision another fifty, even one hundred years of innovation and sustainability. Together, we can continue to build a greener, more responsible business landscape. Your choice to recycle with us is not just a contribution to environmental conservation, but also a step towards creating a more sustainable and socially responsible future. 


Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can lead the way to a better, more sustainable world. 

Stretching the Education Budget: How Refurbished Furniture Delivers Quality Without the Cost

By Ida Gorecka • July 7, 2025
Your education budget is under more pressure than ever. Whether you're managing a school, college, or university, you know the challenge: creating inspiring learning environments while budgets shrink and demands grow. According to research by the IFS , between 2010/11 and 2022/23, funding received by colleges for 16-19 education dropped by nearly a quarter, and adult skills funding was cut by more than half. Meanwhile, overall surplus levels fell for the sector as a whole from £2,290 million (5.6 per cent of income) in 2021-22 to £1,284 million (2.9 per cent of income) in 2023-24 ( source ). This financial squeeze is hitting at exactly the wrong time. Your students deserve quality learning environments, but premium furniture prices make this increasingly difficult to achieve. But what if there was a solution that delivered professional-quality furniture without the premium price tag? What if you could create the inspiring spaces your students need while actually saving money ? By choosing refurbished office furniture , you can stretch your budget 3-5 times further, receive furniture in days rather than months, and create premium-quality learning environments - all without compromising on the standards your institution demands. Curious to see what's available? Browse our current inventory of high-quality refurbished educational furniture - updated daily and ready for fast delivery.

The Hidden Costs of Buying New: Why Refurbished Office Furniture is the Smarter Investment

By Ida Gorecka • June 30, 2025
Planning your next office fit-out? Before you commit to that £50,000 furniture budget, consider this: the UK office furniture market reached £3.24 billion in 2024 ( source ), yet businesses are increasingly discovering that the "obvious" choice isn't always the smartest one. You’ve likely priced up premium ergonomic chairs at £800-£1,200, desks starting at £2,000, and meeting tables from £3,000+. Leading brands like Herman Miller and Steelcase come with quality-but also long lead times, hidden costs, and potential delays that can hold up your entire fit-out. But here’s what those new furniture quotes don’t mention: the true cost goes far beyond the price tag. Hidden expenses, long lead times, and missed opportunities can add up to serious disruption, something savvy businesses are now avoiding. On the other hand, refurbished office furniture that delivers the same premium quality, ergonomic support, and professional look-at 50-80% less, and available in days , not months. In this article, we’ll unpack the hidden costs of buying new and explain why choosing refurbished furniture is a strategic, value-driven decision for your office. If you're looking to save money, time, and hassle on your next office fit-out, get in touch or browse our refurbished range today.

Beyond the Skip: How Recycling Office Furniture Saves Money and the Planet

By Ida Gorecka • June 17, 2025
Are you still throwing perfectly good office furniture into skips? Every year, millions of pieces of furniture are discarded in the UK, with the majority going directly to landfill. Meanwhile, the standard landfill tax rate in the UK is currently £103.70 per tonne, and it's only getting more expensive. But what if there was a better way? What if that "outdated" desk or those "worn" chairs could actually save you money while keeping valuable resources in circulation ? Recycling old office furniture isn't just about doing the right thing environmentally; it's about making smart financial decisions that protect your finances. According to recent statistics , office furniture accounts for an estimated 8.5 million tons of furniture waste per year globally, yet 51% of furniture is reusable if we take into account items requiring slight repair. You're facing a choice every time you clear out your office. The skip route costs money and harms the environment. The recycling route saves money and creates value. Here's how recycling old office furniture can transform your business operations while delivering measurable savings. Want to see how much you could save by recycling your office furniture? Contact our team for a free assessment and quote.