The cost of recycling office furniture
There are many reasons why a business might need to dispose of unwanted furniture and IT equipment. Often when people move office, for example, they choose new furniture that fits the new space more effectively.
So what do you do with the old equipment? It’s been a long time since it was OK to chuck unwanted furniture and office equipment into landfill. Today, a business is legally obliged to recycle and reuse furniture, but even if this wasn’t the case, many firms have recycling written into their corporate social responsibility endeavours.
For the person tasked with recycling furniture, however, it can seem a daunting task. How much does it cost? Where do you start? We’ve answered some of the most burning questions below to give you a helping hand.
What types of furniture can be recycled?
The answer is simple: almost everything can be dismantled and recycled. Office chairs, tables, cabinets and so on are all made up of many materials that can be individually processed.
It takes time to take it all apart, however, which is why we can do that for you. We can separate wood from metal, plastic from fabric and work with our partners to get it all recycled.
What are the best recycling methods?
To make sure your business conforms to the highest environmental standards possible, we will select the most appropriate recycling method for each item. We have a range of recycling partners who help us do this.
For example, wood from desks can be pulped. Fabric can be recycled to make carpet underlay. Plastics from phones can be recycled and IT equipment disposed of through an industrial shredder. All these methods conform to environmental legislation.
Can items be reused elsewhere?
When you have surplus items that are still in good condition, we can manage the process of finding them a new home elsewhere. A sofa from a reception area might be in near perfect condition, for example.
Some items can be sold, and we can help you do this. However, we also have a network of partners who can redistribute items to charities, schools and other non-profit organisations. These worthy causes always benefit hugely from donations.
Do I need proof?
Some businesses need proof that items have been disposed of properly, either sold or recycled. We provide fully traceable proof that recycling has taken place, including photos where necessary. With this information, you can rest assured that all your stakeholders will know you have taken the necessary steps to recycle or reuse unwanted items.
Read more about CAMA’s Recycling service to see how we can ensure you are disposing of unwanted items in a sustainable and cost-effective way.
