Sustainable relocation services

When I reentered the relocation industry several years ago, it was apparent that corporate relocation had changed. It seemed traditional relocation firms had not focused on providing sustainable solutions. No longer were relocating firms taking their existing office furniture to their new location. This resulted in an estimated 3.5 million tons of surplus entering our landfills. In an effort to change this we set a goal; to innovate and develop powerful, fiscally sound, sustainable solutions. Our mission became diverting as much surplus furniture as possible from our overburdened landfills. We gathered a team of industry professionals with rich backgrounds in sustainability and began to explore and implement sustainable solutions for clients on the move. I pursued my LEED Green Associate in an effort to fully understand sustainability as it related to relocating corporate clients. We wanted to close the circle and ensure that eligible surplus furniture was given a second life be it through donation, resale on the secondary market , or recycling in accordance with best practices. Our aim was to divert as much surplus as possible from landfill and donate it to those in need. During relocation planning there are four options: Resale of eligible furniture on the secondary market which can result in a positive offset of moving costs. Donation to not-for-profit organizations, which can result in tax advantages and is a good display of corporate citizenship. Reuse of the furniture at the new space (85% of the time this does not work) Disposal - this is the least desirable option and results in approximately 3.5 million tons of surplus office furniture disposed each year. We began to reach out to not-for-profit organizations, the response was overwhelming, needs were so great. Our charity outreach division began to coordinate donations and the program grew at a rapid pace. We are proud to have diverted over 1 million pounds of office furniture from landfill. A small team of forward thinking innovators has turned good intentions into good actions and good actions into good business strategies. We went beyond philanthropy and compliance issues and addressed how companies manage their economic, social and environmental impacts, as well as their relationships in all key spheres of influence; the workplace, marketplace, supply chain, community and public policy realm. We believe we should pay it forward and leave the world a better place than we found it. Kristen McGowan, LEED Green Associate, is a VP, director of sales, at Business Asset Relocation, a division of BAC Tri-State, New York, N.Y.