Furniture Reuse and Recycling

The Service 

In the early 1990's, CRISP started informally to collect office furniture and equipment to research the potential of reuse and waste minimisation activities within the Borough of Southwark. As a result of this initial research a need was identified for setting up a reuse scheme which is specifically dealing with office furniture and equipment in Londonand OFFERS was formally set up in 1996.  

The scheme receives financial support from London Borough of Southwark. Additional funding from the Environmental Action Fund (EAF) from the DETR granted between 2000 - 2002 has enabled us to expand the services of OFFERS to adjacent boroughs in South London and Londonwide.

The scheme is managed by a project co-ordinator and creates further full-time and part-time employment for 15 people (logistics, warehouse staff, and administration). At the beginning of 2000 the project was regarded as one of the most successful "Re-use" schemes in Londonand has been mentioned in a GLA report published in June 2001.

The Aim

 OFFERS is committed to make Londona more sustainable city, in particular: 

•  to contribute to fulfilling the aims and objectives of the GLA waste recycling strategy, the London Boroughs local waste minimisation action plans and Local Agenda 21  
•  to minimise commercial waste output and problematic bulky waste which reduces the lifespan of London's landfills  
•  to increase the life cycle of office furniture/fittings/equipment and by that, to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution attached to office furniture manufacturing by up to 50% (e.g. this is the 'ecological footprint' of a office desk).

Since the initilisation in 1996 the project has helped out London’s business with the reuse of their surplus equipment.  The diversion of furniture from landfill has benefited many small start-up businesses and voluntary sector organisations within London.

Please see our donors and recipients sections for benefits to both donors and recipients.