Serving the Community While Keeping Commercial Furniture out of Landfills
A new research paper by Installnet, a commercial furniture solutions company, and Bard College's Sustainability MBA program explores how to get gently used office furniture to community organizations and individuals in need. The paper, titled “Amplifying Community Benefits by Increasing Circularity of Office Furniture,” highlights the importance of planning, collaboration, and creativity in managing this process. Installnet's Ecoserv program, which has diverted over 52 million pounds of waste from landfills since 2012, has donated to more than 3,200 communities across North America. These donations help nonprofits, schools, and first responders by allowing them to focus on their missions while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The research emphasizes the need for industry-wide collaboration to create sustainable and credible solutions. Deanna Diaz, a student from Bard College, outlined key strategies such as fostering partnerships, overcoming logistical challenges, and proactive outreach to build networks for furniture reuse. Several successful decommission projects are highlighted, including one where Installnet moved 90,000 assets out of two warehouses and another where a middle school in Florida repurposed donated furniture. The research is part of Ecoserv Net Zero (ENZO), a collective formed by Installnet to share sustainable decommissioning practices and create industry standards.