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. 

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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