Selling your old office furniture isn’t like selling your used car; There’s a better way

By Mackenzie Stephens

10,000,000 tons of corporate assets go into landfills each year. Currently, Herman Miller research shows that when organizations replace furniture, three-quarters of it is disposed of and one-quarter is reused. Of the three-quarters that is disposed, 67 percent ends up in landfills.

Herman Miller is passionate about keeping furniture out of the landfill, which is why they design and build products to last. So, when they work with clients to fill their spaces with Herman Miller goods, they also work with them to keep the customer’s old furniture from hitting the scrapheap.

Their rePurpose program does just that: offering services of reSell, reCycle, reUse (donation), and reLocate in 150 cities across the U.S. and Canada. More than 27,000 tons of product have been diverted from landfill since the program started in 2009, and it has generated over $18 million in charitable, in-kind donations.

Finding a Fit

rePurpose is built for companies looking for a socially responsible solution for disposing unwanted corporate assets in the most ecological and economical way. Companies also get a strong sustainability story they can use with internal and external audiences. Choosing rePurpose demonstrates stewardship of resources by diverting unwanted assets from landfills. When customers access rePurpose, they may also be eligible for a tax benefit for the fair market value of the items donated.

Perhaps most important, the program ensures immediate title transfer to the receiving organization. This frees companies from the risk and costs associated with liability. It is a concrete way that organizations can act on a commitment to preserve and care for the environment.

How it’s Done

Working through Herman Miller, customers register a project and Herman Miller does the rest. Working with a partnered Service Provider, they manage the process from beginning to end so businesses can spend time focusing on the renovation or new build, and not unwanted assets. Also, the program isn’t limited to just furniture assets.

Herman Miller helps customers properly dispose of equipment, artwork, appliances, carpet/ceiling tiles, office supplies, etc. — even the excess letterhead that has the former name of a business unit. All these items are of value to nonprofit groups in a business’ community and around the world. In fact, part of the rePurpose program allows customers to suggest deserving nonprofits for consideration.

Why Bother

In addition to the reduced waste and social aspects, many organizations that are renovating or updating with new furnishings can spend hours researching options for reselling their old furnishings. In the end, the value at resale is typically less than the cost of those resources. Using a program like rePurpose frees up time and resources to focus more on what’s next.

What’s the Catch

In order for an organization to participate in the program like rePurpose, some planning is required. Because the destination for the old furnishings must be determined prior to the new install, customers need to anticipate participation. That helps ensure the charity recipient and other logistics can be arranged prior to the install date.

Earth Benefits

In addition to the purchasing company and the beneficiaries, the Earth benefits from the rePurpose program. Using the program significantly reduces the amount of unwanted assets going to landfills.

Also, research indicates that using rePurpose to dispose of 100 offices reduces carbon emissions by 37.5 tons. Most important, the rePurpose program helps to transform the disposing of no longer needed furniture from a negative impact on the Earth to a positive charitable donation. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) recognizes the importance of programs such as rePurpose and its contribution to Earth-friendly design. LEED awards points for proper disposal of furniture.

People Benefit

The rePurpose program also impacts our communities by generating in-kind donations. Donations go to local organizations, nonprofits, schools, and more. With rePurpose, the title for the donated items transfers immediately to the nonprofit that receives them. The furnishings and equipment allow organizations to enhance their spaces and inspire those who use them. In some cases, Herman Miller works with groups to makeover and enhance the experience of the space to leave a lasting impact on the community.

If you would like to read about specific customers that have worked with Herman Miller’s repurpose program, visit hermanmiller.com.

Want to learn more about rePurpose? Contact Herman Miller.