As a business, it’s exciting when you give your office a refurb, expand to bigger premises, or move to a new space across town. But it often leaves you with a tricky question: what do you do with your old office furniture? Disposing of desks, chairs, and storage units isn’t always straightforward, and for many organisations, office furniture disposal can be a real headache.
To help, we’ve outlined the best ways to handle office furniture recycling and disposal responsibly. We’ll explain why landfill should be avoided, explore how office furniture reuse and donation can support the circular economy, and show how First Mile offers a sustainable office clearance service that makes the process hassle-free.
Can office furniture be recycled?
Most office furniture is made from recyclable materials like wood, metal and plastic, which means it can usually be recycled. To do this properly, the different materials need to be sorted to ensure office furniture recycling is handled safely, correctly, and in a way that supports sustainable business waste disposal.
However, you can’t just take old office furniture to the tip. Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), also known as tips, don’t typically accept commercial waste, so you won’t be able to dump unwanted office furniture here. Some councils may allow small volumes of office furniture to be dropped off, but you’ll likely need a permit or licence in advance. If you try to take business waste to a tip without checking first, they can deny you entry. You can even be fined up to £50,000 for disposing of business waste in a Household Waste Recycling Centre, so it’s definitely best avoided.
There are plenty of reasons to choose recycling over landfill. Landfill waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and can pollute soil and water sources, damaging the environment and harming wildlife. As a business, you have a responsibility to dispose of waste in a sustainable way and may face fines and legal action if you don’t follow the government’s guidelines.
The best ways to dispose of office furniture responsibly
There are several ways you can dispose of office furniture you no longer need in a responsible, eco-friendly way. It’s a great opportunity to support the circular economy and reinforce your reputation as a sustainable business. You’ll also stay compliant with business waste disposal laws, and be able to enjoy your new office setup knowing nothing has gone to landfill.
To dispose of your office furniture responsibly, try one of these simple methods:
Reuse within your business
Just because some furniture is being replaced, doesn’t mean it’s all destined for the bin. Look for ways to reuse items elsewhere in your business.
You could set up a breakout area with spare chairs and tables, move waterproof seating to outdoor spaces, or reupholster soft furnishings to give them a new lease of life. Filing cabinets can be turned into employee libraries, and old desks can be grouped to create collaborative workbenches or meeting tables.
Be sure to ask colleagues or clients whether there are any items they could make use of in their own homes or offices, especially any pieces that are still in great working order.
Sell or donate furniture
If your office furniture is in good condition, you could consider selling it on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Gumtree to make some money to go towards your new furniture.
Even if certain items aren’t in perfect condition, people might be interested in buying them to upcycle and either use in their own homes or sell on. Other businesses may also be interested, and offering bundle deals or discounts for bulk purchases can help shift stock faster.
You could also explore office furniture donation to charities such as the British Heart Foundation, Emmaus or Sue Ryder. Office furniture donation is a great way to ensure your business is making a positive impact. However, be mindful that donated furniture must meet fire safety label requirements and any items you donate should be in good, clean, usable condition.
Book a professional office clearance
If you’ve got large volumes of furniture or don’t have the time to deal with it yourself, booking a sustainable office clearance is a smart move.
A licensed clearance provider will handle the logistics for you , including collecting, sorting, and recycling or donating everything where possible. It saves you time, reduces hassle, and gives peace of mind that your old office furniture is being dealt with responsibly.
How does First Mile’s office clearance service work?
At First Mile, we help businesses recycle, repurpose, and donate office furniture, taking the stress out of what can be a time-consuming task. Our sustainable office clearance service is designed to be simple from start to finish.
Just book online, choose a date that works for you, and gather everything that needs collecting (in sacks where possible). We’ll take care of the rest. After the collection, you’ll receive a detailed removal report along with a monthly update showing exactly what’s happened to your office clearance waste — so you can see your positive impact in action.
The cost of our office clearance service depends on how much waste you have. For example, our extra small (up to 125kg) clearance costs from £92 (exc. VAT) while our extra-large (up to 1200kg) removal service can be booked from £380 (exc. VAT). For a more accurate estimate, simply fill out our customised quote form and we’ll provide a tailored cost for your business waste disposal needs.
Why choose First Mile for office clearance?
There are plenty of reasons to choose First Mile for your office clearance.
- Convenience: We offer fast, scheduled collections with minimal disruption to your day. Need it done quickly? We also provide 24-hour availability and same-day pickups for urgent office furniture clearances.
- Sustainability: All office furniture is repurposed, donated, or recycled. Nothing goes to landfill, so you can be confident you’re supporting the circular economy with every clearance.
- Full compliance: You’ll receive detailed waste reports and disposal documentation to show exactly how your office waste has been handled. This helps you stay on top of your legal obligations and avoid any issues linked to business waste disposal.
- Competitive prices: Our service is cost-effective and flexible, with options for businesses of all sizes.
- Before and after photos: If requested, we’re happy to provide before and after photos to show that the job has been completed and we’ve collected your office furniture as agreed.
If you’re planning to update your office furniture, get in touch today to discuss your disposal needs, or book online to secure a collection time that works for you.
