When tenants vacate office spaces, they often leave behind good quality furniture that can end up in landfill. We can reduce the environmental impact of commercial furniture waste going to landfill by giving this furniture an alternative use and create positive social outcomes.
The Investa team at 120 Collins Street, Melbourne identified an opportunity to repurpose disused fittings and furniture left by a tenant. Upon hearing about a recent fire at Western Health, where furniture and fittings were lost, the Investa team was able to donate over 200 items from unutilised fit outs, including workstations, pods, partitions, meeting room desks, chairs, and filing cabinets.
The donation diverted approximately 16.5 tonnes from landfill and enabled the hospital to save money from replacing furniture. This donation helped the hospital to restore its operational capacity and staff to return to their daily activities.
The donated furniture has been welcomed across multiple Western Health sites, including Braybrook, Williamstown, Sunshine, and Harvester Road.
This is one example of how Investa continues to look for opportunities to recycle and rehome commercial furniture waste.