How to Get Rid of Office Furniture in 3 Sustainable Ways

Whether you're in the process of planning an office relocation or just finished one, you may find yourself with leftover furniture and equipment you no longer need. This excess inventory can include everything from chairs, conference tables, and filing cabinets to stationery supplies, electronics, and desks–but how do you get rid of them?

Holding on to unwanted inventory can hinder the relocation process, so most businesses call a junk disposal company to quickly pick up the items and take them away. Unfortunately, this furniture typically ends up in a landfill, polluting groundwater and producing other hazards that harm the environment. Instead of contributing to environmental contamination, decide to make a better choice. Here's how to get rid of office furniture you no longer need in3 sustainable ways:

1. Resell

Instead of sending your unwanted office furniture and equipment to the dump, consider reselling them. Take inventory of your surplus items during the relocation process. For each piece of extra furniture and equipment, note the brand, its age, and its condition. Is it relatively new and in great shape? Is it worn but still usable? If so, then these items can be resold in a few ways:

• Offer to sell the furniture to your employees at a discounted price. They may want to keep a few items.
• Advertise to start-up businesses and employees working remotely from home who may be looking for cheaper alternatives to new furniture and equipment.
• Contact used furniture stores to sell the remaining inventory and negotiate a lump sum.

2. Donate

Donating to local non-profit organizations and charities is a second option to get rid of office furniture sustainably. In the process, you'll experience the added bonus of spreading community goodwill and helping an organization that helps others. Of course, donate only items in good or great condition that will be useful. Oftentimes, charities will offer to pick up the furniture and equipment, so you don't have to worry about breaking them down and transporting them. These donations may also be eligible for a tax write-off.

3. Recycle

Do you have office furniture that you can't resell or can't donate? No problem. Make the eco-friendly decision and recycle your excess inventory; don't dump it. Recycling is the ideal, final destination for furniture that is broken beyond repair or just not usable anymore. It's very common for inventory in this condition to be taken to a landfill; however, it will stay there for decades, left to decompose slowly. Throughout decomposition, greenhouses gases and toxic chemicals will be released into the environment. Recycling, on the other hand, allows for unwanted office furniture to be given new life, broken down and reused for other purposes. Similar to charities, some recycling companies also provide receipts for the items they receive as they consider them to be donations. In this instance, recycling inventory could be eligible for a tax write off as well.

How Chipman Relocation & Logistics Can Help

Whether you're moving across town or to another state, we'll help you break down and get rid of your unwanted office furniture. Our decommission services reduce costs with the goal of achieving zero waste and minimize disruptions during relocation projects. We'll handle your IT asset disposition, electronics recycling, and data destruction, too. Contact us today to learn more!