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What are the best practices for reducing office furniture waste and environmental impact?

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Office furniture waste is a significant environmental and economic problem, especially as businesses adapt to changing work patterns and needs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), millions of tons of office furniture end up in landfills every year, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and pollution. As a facility manager (FM), you have a key role in reducing the environmental impact of your office furniture and finding sustainable solutions for its disposal and recycling. In this article, we will share some of the best practices for minimizing office furniture waste and enhancing your green credentials.

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Heather Nicholson MIWFM
Simone Fenton-Jarvis BSc MBA FIWFM

Author of 'The Human-Centric Workplace' | Workplace Consultant | Multi-Award Winning | Public Speaker | IWFM Non-Exec…

1 Assess your furniture inventory

The first step to reducing office furniture waste is to assess your current inventory and identify what you need, what you can reuse, and what you can dispose of. A thorough inventory can help you optimize your space utilization, avoid unnecessary purchases, and plan for future needs. You can use a spreadsheet, a software tool, or a mobile app to track your furniture assets, their condition, location, and usage. This will also help you comply with any reporting requirements and regulations related to office furniture.

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Simone Fenton-Jarvis BSc MBA FIWFM

Author of 'The Human-Centric Workplace' | Workplace Consultant | Multi-Award Winning | Public Speaker | IWFM Non-Exec Director | FM Connect Ambassador | Plan B for FM Co-organiser and Mentor
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You need to also understand the behaviours of the people using the furniture. What furniture meets the needs of the activities they undertake?

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2 Donate or sell unwanted furniture

If you have furniture that is still in good condition but no longer meets your needs, you can consider donating or selling it to other organizations, charities, or individuals. This way, you can extend the lifespan of your furniture, reduce waste, and support social causes or generate some revenue. You can use online platforms, local networks, or brokers to find potential buyers or recipients for your unwanted furniture. Make sure to follow the best practices for furniture donation or sale, such as cleaning, sanitizing, and documenting your furniture.

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Heather Nicholson MIWFM
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Government departments and ALBs can use a site called 'Warp It'. You list available items and condition of them and the recipient arranges collection at their cost. The items themselves are FOC.

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Simone Fenton-Jarvis BSc MBA FIWFM

Author of 'The Human-Centric Workplace' | Workplace Consultant | Multi-Award Winning | Public Speaker | IWFM Non-Exec Director | FM Connect Ambassador | Plan B for FM Co-organiser and Mentor
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Ensure you always check whom you are donating it to and the end use - get receipts where you can too. An organisation called "waste to wonder" does some excellent work in this area!

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3 Recycle or refurbish old furniture

If you have furniture that is damaged, outdated, or unsuitable for donation or sale, you can still avoid sending it to the landfill by recycling or refurbishing it. Recycling involves breaking down the furniture components and materials and turning them into new products or raw materials. Refurbishing involves repairing, restoring, or upgrading the furniture to improve its functionality, appearance, or value. You can work with specialized vendors, manufacturers, or service providers to recycle or refurbish your old furniture. Some of them may even offer incentives, discounts, or certifications for your efforts.

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Steve Berry
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Deciding whether to recycle or refurbish old furniture offers businesses an environmentally conscious choice, reducing waste and promoting sustainability. Recycling is ideal for materials that can be repurposed, while refurbishing allows businesses to breathe new life into furniture, extending its lifespan and infusing a fresh look into the workspace.

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4 Choose eco-friendly furniture

When you need to buy new furniture for your office, you can opt for eco-friendly options that have less environmental impact and more durability. Eco-friendly furniture is made from recycled, renewable, or biodegradable materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, or bamboo. It also has low or no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can affect indoor air quality and health. Eco-friendly furniture also has features that make it easy to disassemble, repair, or recycle. You can look for labels, certifications, or ratings that indicate the environmental performance of the furniture, such as LEED, GreenGuard, or Cradle to Cradle.

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5 Implement a furniture management policy

To ensure that you follow the best practices for reducing office furniture waste and environmental impact, you can implement a furniture management policy that outlines your goals, strategies, and guidelines. A furniture management policy can help you establish a clear and consistent process for acquiring, using, maintaining, and disposing of your furniture. It can also help you communicate your expectations and responsibilities to your staff, vendors, and stakeholders. A furniture management policy can also help you monitor and measure your progress and performance, and identify areas for improvement.

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6 Educate and engage your staff

Finally, you can reduce office furniture waste and environmental impact by educating and engaging your staff in your efforts. You can inform them about the benefits and challenges of reducing furniture waste, and provide them with tips and resources to help them make informed decisions. You can also involve them in your furniture inventory, donation, recycling, or refurbishment initiatives, and solicit their feedback and suggestions. You can also recognize and reward their contributions and achievements, and create a culture of sustainability and responsibility in your office.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Simone Fenton-Jarvis BSc MBA FIWFM

Author of 'The Human-Centric Workplace' | Workplace Consultant | Multi-Award Winning | Public Speaker | IWFM Non-Exec Director | FM Connect Ambassador | Plan B for FM Co-organiser and Mentor
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When purchasing furniture, avoid buying in line with the newest yet soon passing trends. Also take into consideration space utilisation, business growth, and the location strategy.

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What are the best practices for reducing office furniture waste and environmental impact?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your furniture inventory

2 Donate or sell unwanted furniture

3 Recycle or refurbish old furniture

4 Choose eco-friendly furniture

5 Implement a furniture management policy

6 Educate and engage your staff

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

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What are the best practices for reducing office furniture waste and environmental impact?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Assess your furniture inventory

2 Donate or sell unwanted furniture

3 Recycle or refurbish old furniture

4 Choose eco-friendly furniture

5 Implement a furniture management policy

6 Educate and engage your staff

7 Here’s what else to consider

Facility Management (FM)

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