These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions among them. Each choice has merit, and can add value to your company in terms of cost savings, LEED credits, and as a visible and measurable demonstration of your firm's commitment to environmentally responsible practices.

RECYCLED generally refers to furniture which is manufactured at least in part out of raw materials which have been recycled. These products often also include materials which are "recyclable." Several manufacturers have achieved levels of recycled and recyclable content in their products which allow them to qualify them for LEED credits.

REUSED furniture, also called "as-is" or simply "used", has the obvious cost benefit of being returned to the marketplace without any value added. The EPA estimates that over 3 million tons of office furniture and furnishings are discarded each year. An enormous amount of this waste is merely "dated", or showing signs of wear, and is nowhere near the end of its life cycle.

REFURBISHED furniture is used furniture that has been restored to like-new condition. Panels and surfaces are disassembled, parts are inspected, cleaned, and repaired or replaced and reassembled. Refurbishing is also called 'remanufacturing', and is an even more environmentally responsible practice than recycling. It is also preferable to re-using, as ultimately, aging product will need to be discarded and replaced if it is not refurbished.

REFURBISHING IS CONSIDERED THE ULTIMATE FORM OF RECYCLING.

RPB Office has proudly offered refurbished options to our clients for over 10 years.

The benefits of Refurbished are clear:

Cost

Refurbished workstations, chairs, and desks offer huge cost savings, ranging from 30-50% off comparable new products, to up to 80% off.

Design

Many people are surprised to learn that choosing a refurbished option gives you virtually unlimited design possibilities. Paint, fabric, trim colors and finishes-all of these are up to you.

Environmental Impact

Because fewer raw materials are used, refurbishing conserves energy and natural resources. The amount of labor and energy required to alter an existing product is an estimated 85%-90% less than what is required to manufacture a new product.