As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, businesses are increasingly seeking sustainable practices in every aspect of their operations, including their office fitout and refurbishment. In this blog, we explore the advantages of incorporating recycling and upcycling practices during the office design and fitout process and how this has benefited our clients in their commitment to CSR and ESG targets.

Environmental Benefits
The most apparent advantage of recycling and upcycling furniture during an office fitout is the positive impact on the environment. By choosing to reuse and revamp existing furniture and materials, businesses can significantly reduce their carbon footprint.

At the start of each office design and fitout project, an environmental assessment is conducted by our team to assess the areas of the project where these practices can be utilised to minimise the environmental impact.

Although furniture manufacturers are adopting more sustainable practices in producing goods, the manufacturing process often requires considerable amounts of raw materials, energy, and transportation, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Recycling and upcycling can help to conserve natural resources and reduce the waste destined for landfill, it can also result in cost-savings for clients. For example, during our recently completed office design and fitout for MCS Group, a number of chairs were reupholstered to align with the look and feel of their new office design. Mixing old with new can work in perfect harmony and with our design expertise, assist with making the overall project as eco-conscious as possible.

If existing items do not fit in with the new design scheme for your office fitout, we can look at what items can be recycled to divert waste from landfill.

On another recent project for Opentext, we worked with furniture sustainability specialists Sustain, to recycle over 16,000kg of unsalvageable old furniture, resulting in over 17,000kg/CO2e being diverted from landfill and turned into energy to power Sustain’s factory and offices.

Cost-Effectiveness
Recycling and upcycling furniture during the office fitout process can sometimes lead to cost savings. Purchasing brand-new furniture can be expensive, especially for larger office spaces. If a client has furniture that is still fit for purpose our team will assess its suitability and incorporate it into the design process where possible. Another option to consider during your office design and fitout if your own furniture is not salvageable or you simply want to upgrade, is acquiring high-quality refurbished or upcycled furniture.

It is worth considering the cost of recycling and upcycling versus the cost of purchasing new furniture and determining which approach to take in your fitout journey.

Unique and Creative Office Spaces
Upcycling offers the opportunity to create truly unique and aesthetically pleasing office spaces. Each piece of upcycled furniture has its own story, adding character and charm to the workplace, it can also be nice for organisations who have outgrown their original offices to take a piece of their history with them into their new surroundings.

From reupholstered dated leather sofas, transformed with vibrant boucle fabric, to vintage cabinets transformed into storage units, upcycling encourages creativity and innovation in design. Employees working in such a thoughtfully designed environment are likely to feel inspired, fostering a positive and productive atmosphere and from experience we have found these pieces create a point of interest and talking point for existing and new clients.

Corporate Social Responsibility
Consumers and employees alike are increasingly drawn to businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility. By embracing recycling and upcycling in your office design and fitout, you can enhance your brand image and demonstrate your commitment to your CSR strategy. This commitment to green practices can attract eco-conscious clients and top-tier talent who align with the company’s values, ultimately benefiting the business in the long run.

Reduced Waste Generation
Office fitouts often generate a significant amount of waste, including discarded furniture, packaging materials, and construction debris. By recycling and upcycling, you can drastically reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, minimizing your impact on the environment.

At Calibro we are committed to incorporating recycling and upcycling practices into all of our office design and fitout projects, and shaping workspaces that are both functional and environmentally responsible. Recycling and upcycling furniture represents a crucial step towards a greener and more sustainable future for office fitouts. We work with several responsible waste management companies to ensure the correct disposal of materials to not only benefit the planet but also ensures compliance with local regulations and sustainability standards, and alignment with your CSR and ESG policies and procedures.

If you would like to explore the recycling and upcycling opportunities for your upcoming office design and fitout project get in touch today via email or call +44 (0)28 9442 5200.