Furniture reuse success

Since launching in 2022, our Furniture Reuse Project transformed how we handle unwanted furniture across the University. What started as a simple idea to avoid unnecessary waste has grown into a hugely successful circular economy initiative that has benefited departments and the environment.

Since then we’ve successfully rehomed over 400 items of furniture including:

• 213 chairs
• 67 desks
• 67 tables
• 7 white boards
• and more!

This project has saved spending just under £45,000 on new furniture and we have prevented over 5 tonnes of furniture going to landfill which is the equivalent of 10 polar bears! This scheme has not only helped departments get the furniture they need but has saved an impressive 12000 kgs of CO2(e) in carbon footprint. This reduction in carbon footprint reflects avoided manufacturing emissions, transport and disposal processes.

Our project is currently taking a break, in the meantime, if you have surplus furniture or are looking for items please try the below:

• University-owned furniture (such as office items) can be advertised to other departments via Small Ads.
• Damaged items can be removed by the Estates team. Please contact the Estates Helpdesk) in the first instance.
• If you are looking to for new furniture, please try a 'wanted' ad on Small Ads for ad-hoc requests.