It’s Smart to Be Green

Refurbishing office furniture is not only good for the environment; it also makes good business sense.

It’s certainly true that buying used, pre-owned, refurbished or remanufactured office furniture saves money. With increasing awareness over the environment, it is also becoming true that desirable employees are choosing responsible companies that demonstrate a commitment to the environment. Recent research has shown that more than one-third of people prefer to work for companies that are eco-friendly.

In addition, refurbished or remanufactured office furnishings can be an important factor in achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, positively influencing anywhere from 58% of points for Certified, 45% of Silver, 38% of Gold, and 29% of Platinum points.

What is LEED?

LEED is a third party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. LEED gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance. LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

– Source: U.S. Green Building Council

For commercial interiors projects, furniture often is the largest single purchase made. Reusing furniture and furnishings lessens the environmental impacts associated with disposal and additional manufacturing.

- U.S. Green Building Council