To date over 357,830kg and 36,965 items have avoided waste via the GreenChair Channel since its inception in 2020. This equates to over 1,270.3t CO2e saved to date and growing.

This program aligns with the Global Goals for Sustainability.

Current Approach on Repurposing in Australia

Through lack of efficient systems, commercial furniture has traditionally been sent to waste and landfill following renovation, relocation and demolition of commercial offices and premises. This issue is ongoing and regardless of the ‘want’ for organisations not to send product to landfill, the incentives remain low. Aligning a demand for the furniture is currently time consuming and difficult for project teams.

Meanwhile, NFP, Charities and community organisations are minimally funded and function on very little commercial input. They are often not able to purchase commercial furniture and their work environments can remain stagnant and uninspiring.

“The repurposed furniture we have received from GreenChair has helped us create a warm, professional, and inviting atmosphere for both clients and staff. GreenChair is great for organisations such as ours (Not-for-Profit) as it is cost effective, a big boost to sustainability and has benefited our staff and clients immensely. A Big Thank You to the GreenChair Team.”

Barbara Khoshkho, WHFS

The construction and demolition recovery sector is largely dominated by private companies, with recovered office furniture stored in containers and salvage yards. This furniture has minimal to no exposure to external markets and will often end up damaged, making it difficult to be repurposed.

The opportunity to dismantle furniture and place into recycling streams is limited as items are not often designed for disassembly, and resources to perform this role are rarely available.

With the introduction of the WA Waste Strategy 2030 as a WA Government priority, and also through out Australia, there is an industry expectation that the upcoming landfill levy review will result in higher and stricter waste disposal rates.

The GreenChair solution

The GreenChair solution enables the transfer of goods between construction professionals and NFP, charities and community groups. The platform has two sides;

• Supply side - including consultants, furniture providers, project managers, contractors and building owners who can donate commercial office furniture that will be removed from their premises;

• Demand side - NFP, charities and community groups who need furniture to set up suitable working environments.

The program is available to NFP’s, Charities and community groups who register their interest in needing commercial office furniture. Businesses can also register to list the furniture that will be obsolete through upcoming renovation projects.

Once registered, the NFP, Charity or community group will be provided regular lists of available furniture from which they can select. They are then required to organise transportation (or transportation can be quoted and organised for them) and collection of the furniture at an agreed time direct from site.

The whole process is simple, as detailed below:

Step 1 - Audit - Initially, photos & details of available items are sent through so we understand the scope of work and can advise the cost of our admin fee we charge the organisation repurposing the goods. A detailed audit is prepared in coordination with the organisation. The listing is then complete (Usually 1 week).

Step 2 - Allocation - The listing is circulated to the NFP’s/Charities/Community Groups registered on the database, who respond indicating their requests. Items are allocated on a first come first served basis. Confirmation emails are sent to the recipients and the organisation for governance (Usually 1-2 weeks).

Step 3 - Collection - The NFP/Charity/Community Group is responsible for the collection. In the confirmation email a contact from the organisation will be nominated to confirm and coordinate pick times with each recipient and oversee collections onsite. GreenChair can be engaged to oversee this process if required (Usually 1 week).

Step 4 - Results - Following allocation of the furniture, the results are analysed and emailed through in the form of a certificate detailing how much waste has avoided landfill (kgs & items), how many NFPs/Charities/Community Groups were assisted and how much Carbon was saved in the repurposing of the furniture.

Is your organisation interested in the GreenChair solution?

If you’re looking to take advantage of this program, or you are a NFP, Charity and Community organisation requiring support, please contact us via our Contact Us page.

If the above does not answer your questions please check out our FAQs