Green Environment

Facts about Recycled & Remanufactured Systems Furniture

• Don’t be afraid to go green!  More than 50% of all U.S. businesses include recycled furniture in their annual budgets.  Also, recycled furniture accounts for more than $1 billion annually in commercial furniture volume.
• It is estimated that businesses discard 3 million tons of furniture each year, resulting in disposal costs of nearly $100 million. 
• Businesses can save 30% - 50% in purchasing costs over new product.
• For each pound of natural resources consumed by reuse, 5 to 9 pounds of original materials are conserved.
• It is estimated that remanufacturing just 40 cubicles will divert one tractor-trailer load of furniture from a landfill.
• The amount of labor and energy required to refurbish existing furniture is 85% - 95% less than that required to produce new furniture.
• For more information, statistics and benefits regarding recycled and remanufactured furniture, download the “Recycled Office Furniture: Good for the Environment, Good for Your Business” from this link.

From Guilford of Maine’s “Reusing Office Furniture…An Environmental Perspective” Preferred Environmental Hierarchy

Reduce:   

• Nothing Produced/Consumed
• No Environmental Impact

Example:   Products made with the same aesthetic and performance, re-engineered with less components

Reuse:   

• Product has already impacted the environment
• Reuse prevents reimpact

Example:   Refurbished Office Furniture