The word junk conjures up images of rubbish, landfills, and old boxes of long-forgotten items.
However, office junk refers to a range of items that aren’t exactly junk… namely chairs, desks, workstations, storage units, and much more. The nature of this ‘office junk’ means that it’s not exactly ‘junk’ in the traditional sense of the word, as most of these furniture items are still in fantastic condition.
That doesn’t prevent much of this office junk from ending up in landfills, every single year. In fact, according to Better Building Partnerships, roughly 55,000 tons of office strip-out waste is produced in Sydney, every single year! And according to the Department of Water, Agriculture and the Environment, commercial furniture is consistently identified as a problem waste stream.
Let’s take a closer look at the different waste types, and how best to deal with them, below.
What makes up Sydney office junk?
At Sydney City Rubbish, we find ourselves dealing with similar types of office junk on each commercial rubbish removal project. These are some of the main culprits when it comes to removing office furniture.
Office chairs
Office chairs and desk chairs come in all shapes and sizes but are usually made up of the same materials. That includes plastic, metal, and some kind of cushioning. A good quality office chair should last you a good three to five years. However, many businesses are simply throwing them away prematurely. And they’re going about it in the wrong way.
It’s estimated that tens of thousands of office chairs are discarded by commercial businesses in Sydney, every single year. Unfortunately, most of these items are going into landfills. Some companies are making a concerted effort to break these down and have them recycled correctly, but it’s still not enough.
This is why it’s critical for businesses in Sydney to consider their office junk. When it comes to chairs, there are many ways to ensure they are correctly disposed of.
Desks and workstations
Desks and workstations are bulkier than office chairs, and therefore, can be more difficult to remove and dispose of. However, the good news is that most workstations are made up of some kind of wood product and therefore, are highly recyclable.
Through years of office design trends, we have seen myriad materials used for desks… ranging from wood to plastic, glass, wood veneer, and timber laminate. These days, timber laminate is the most common desk or workstation material, thanks to its durability, the range of colours available, and of course, affordability.
All of these materials are highly recyclable when handled properly. According to this article, National Australia Bank vacated 500 Bourke Street in Melbourne and left behind more than 15,000 desks and chairs. That’s a huge amount of material, and thankfully, it was removed and dealt with in a sustainable fashion by ISPT.
Storage units
The term storage unit is broad and often encompasses archiving units, shelving, drawers, and much more. These pieces are commonplace in offices across Sydney and therefore, feature regularly in office junk removal projects.
Archiving units and filing cabinets are usually made of metal and are easily scrapped, though they do take manpower to break down and remove. This is where a professional office rubbish removal company is critical.
Kitchen joinery
Office kitchens are often the heart of the workspace, and a well-designed kitchen can work wonders for a business and its people. However, removing them without the right equipment and expertise can be a tough proposition.
Joinery and cabinets are easily recycled if in good enough condition, and in offices, they often are. We remove cabinets carefully so that they can be reused, or broken down and recycled at a certified facility.
Tables and chairs
We often remove miscellaneous items such as tables and chairs from offices, such as those used in meeting rooms, breakout rooms and other areas of the office. Chairs and tables in good condition can be easily reused or on-sold, or recycled where appropriate. At Sydney City Rubbish, we make sure we opt for the most environmentally-sound option.
How can we get better at dealing with Sydney office junk?
Work with the professionals
If you’re relocating to a new office, or stripping out your existing space, it’s always a good idea to work with a professional rubbish removal company. At Sydney City Rubbish, we have years of experience in removing office furniture from a wide range of commercial and residential spaces.
We always operate with the utmost care, while ensuring a swift service. Sustainability is always at the heart of what we do but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case with rubbish removal companies. Therefore, it’s important you work with a conscious company, so that your impact on the environment is a positive one.
Catalogue your waste
Making a record of the waste that your office strip-out or relocation is creating is a great first step in eliminating office junk. For example, as you strip-out an existing fit-out, keep a ledger of the furniture, fixtures and fittings that are being removed.
Once you have this, you can make informed choices about where this waste is to be disposed, and where possible, how it can be reused or repurposed. Taking positive action means you and your business are doing your part to ensure a sustainable future.
Get in touch with us today
To discuss your office junk removal, or for an obligation free quote, give Sydney City Rubbish a call today. We’re ready to help.
