How can I reuse or recycle broken office/desk chairs?
We’ve had an email from Victoria:
Just found your site and love it. Anyway, I saw your story on broken chairs and it reminded me how my company always throws out office chairs instead of fixing them when something breaks – so annoying! I know it’s probably a health and safety thing but it seems so wasteful. As a minimum, can they be recycled?
I’m not sure – but when our (home) office chair dies, I’ll certainly strip it for parts — it’s a silly big “executive” leather one so I’d salvage that for craft projects, the foam cushions for the stray cat’s house, the wheels for the “random parts” box that always comes in handy and the metal frame could go to one of the many, many scrap collectors who visit our street each week — But I realise that’s not necessarily a workable strategy for workplaces.
So anyone else know about recycling them through established schemes? Or can suggest any other reuses?
(Photo by designkryt)
A quick google search brought up a lovely not-for-profit GREEN company that recycles / reuses office furniture that is no longer wanted or is damaged!
They have some great policies concerning charities and the environment and collect Nationwide.
Collections do cost but apparently its pretty competitive. For individuals, it may be best to speak to neighbours, friends and find all the pieces that could do with recycling/collecting to share the cost.
Just a thought
Link: http://www.green-works.co.uk/index.asp
It’s so funny you mentioned a cat house. That was my first thought. My cat loves my office chair.
I’ve had a few break on the pivot over the years. I just drive them to the radiator shop up the road, they have a welding torch, a few minutes and a few dollars later; good as new.