Furniture futures: sustainable strategies for better workplaces

Our new white paper, based on a survey of 250 workplace and facilities professionals across the UK, explores how organisations can cut waste, reduce carbon, and modernise their furniture management strategies for a more sustainable future.

Every working day in the UK, 300 tonnes of office furniture are sent to landfill; every year, 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million chairs meet the same fate.

At the same time, organisations are under pressure to reduce waste, cut carbon, and make smarter use of space and budgets. Our new white paper reveals a growing disconnect between sustainability ambitions and everyday furniture decisions.

What the research found

We surveyed 250 workplace and facilities professionals to understand how UK organisations are managing their furniture assets.

Despite 86% of respondents believing their practices are sustainable:

• 50% still use general waste disposal as a primary method
• 50% choose the cheapest option over the most sustainable
• Unused furniture stays in storage for eight months or more on average
• Over 40% of stored items could be reused with better auditing and planning

This matters. Poor furniture strategy increases costs, carbon emissions and storage pressure, and undermines wider ESG and workplace goals.

What you’ll get from this white paper

Drawing on real survey data, expert commentary and proven case studies, this report will help you:

• Understand the real environmental and financial impact of office furniture
• Make the case for reuse, refurbishment and redeployment
• Improve asset visibility and reduce long-term storage
• Integrate furniture into your wider sustainability strategy
• Take away practical steps for improving your furniture and asset management

Who should read it

This paper is essential reading for facilities managers, workplace leads, sustainability teams, procurement managers, and anyone responsible for office space, assets or change projects.

Get the report: