Multiple Locations, Centrally Managed
An American multinational corporation is in a five year-long process of deploying a new furniture standard throughout their North American facilities. As a result, thousands of usable furniture items become unneeded surplus. Working with Furniture Reuse Solutions (FRS), the company formed a program for charitable reuse that is centrally managed, yet can be implemented in multiple US locations. This case study covers projects during the first three quarters of 2021.
Project Description
In 2021 Q1 – Q3, furniture was decommissioned from six office buildings in three states. A reuse solution from FRS enables the company to uphold their corporate responsibility goals with maximum benefit to the environment and community.
The Texas ice storm of February 2021 wreaked havoc on logistics in the Austin region. Power outages, limited fuel for trucking, and travel hazards caused the Austin project to be delayed for four days. Schedules were juggled. Travel and transportation were rebooked. When the weather cleared, the project successfully resumed.
Each project commenced with an inventory of surplus furnishings. FRS offered these inventories to charities and nonprofits. The company arranged moving services and FRS scheduled transportation and provided on-site project management. Eleven 53’ tractor trailers, plus one straight truck, were loaded at the project sites. Seven thrift stores, operated by nonprofit organizations, received shipments.
Results
3,157 Items Repurposed
Six buildings generated 3,157 surplus items that were repurposed in twelve shipments to nonprofit organizations.
119 Tons Diverted from the Landfill
64 tons of furnishings went to reuse and 55 tons of metal were recycled. By diverting from the landfill, the company realized a greenhouse gas offset equivalent to conserving 43,460 gallons of gasoline (386 MTCO2E).
Cost Savings
Reuse is less expensive than disposal and recycling. The reuse inventory would have required a minimum of 44 30-yard roll-off waste containers.
Social Responsibility
Nonprofit recipient organizations help improve quality of life in multiple communities.
Inventory
Item | Pieces | Weight (lbs) |
Chair | 1,934 | 58,856 |
Bookcase | 644 | 38,620 |
Table | 198 | 12,315 |
Whiteboard | 171 | 4,855 |
Cabinet | 27 | 3,795 |
File Cabinet | 30 | 2,596 |
Kitchen Equipment | 17 | 2,305 |
Other | 136 | 4,730 |
Totals: | 3,157 | 128,072 |
Inventory Composition by Weight
Destinations
A nonprofit organization with a nation-wide network of stores sell donated items help build, rehabilitate and repair safe and affordable homes in the community and around the world. Eleven shipments went to stores in Texas, North Carolina, and Washington state.
Another charity received 297 pieces at their thrift store in Lebanon, Oregon. This organization’s mission is to provide adults and teens freedom from addiction. They operate more than 200 residential centers within the US and Canada. Sales from their thrift stores help fund these centers.