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Making a difference overseas

Another aspect of Green-Works’ ethical approach is its donation of furniture to worthwhile projects in Africa, which is helping to re-build communities in some of the poorest countries in the world. Third world countries are desperately in need of support in terms of basic equipment and facilities for their schools, hospitals and other public buildings. Something as simple as your redundant office furniture can have a huge impact in helping to reconstruct a war torn community or improve a child’s education.

Lengthening the lifecycle

If an item of furniture cannot be redistributed to a new home, the next best option for the environment is for it to be remanufactured into something new. Some companies remodel old furniture to fit a new space or demand. However, a lot of furniture is not capable of such remodelling. Green-Works has embarked on a programme of remanufacturing old furniture into something new, so that it can make use of even these items. At Green-Works, pieces suitable for remanufacture get sent to the in-house joinery where an enthusiastic team will plan out how they can be reused. Often the best items of furniture for the remanufacturing process are large old-fashioned desks, for which it is hard to find new homes. Any items that cannot be reused or remanufactured will need to be recycled.Whilst recycling is a viable and successful route for unwanted or disposed of items, reusing or remanufacturing uses far less energy and should therefore be pursued wherever possible. For Green-Works, landfill is simply not an option.

A sustainable solution to a national problem

Depending on whom you engage with, your redundant equipment could take any number of paths once it has been removed. Many businesses are now looking to address multiple issues simultaneously. Redirecting unwanted furniture away from landfill and to a good cause helps the environment and boosts a company’s CSR. Not many companies offer a fully comprehensive furniture removal and recycling service, but Green-Works has many years’ experience in dealing with a job from start to finish. It operates ethically and honestly and because it is a social enterprise, businesses know they are in good company.

Green-Works is an environmental charity and social enterprise that manages and recycles office furniture. More information about furniture removal or provision can be found by calling

0845 2302 231 or by visiting www.green-works.co.uk.