Green-Works is a British charity that attempts to reduce waste by encouraging the reuse of office furniture. Unused furniture sent to Green-Works by other UK-based organizations is resold typically at a lower price. In 2011, Green-Works was taken over by London Re-use Limited.
 | |
| Industry | Recycling |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Hoxton, United Kingdom |
| Products | Furniture |
| Website | www |
History
editThe company started off in 2000 with a £400 capital and a van.[1] In 2007, its turn-over was £2.1 million.[2]
In the Autumn of 2011 Green-Works was taken over by London Re-use Limited and now forms the commercial division of that organisation.
Social impact
editIn 2006, DELCE Primary School had purchased new furniture for its reception area, as well as other furniture for staff. They had purchased it at an affordable price without being detrimental to the education of children.[citation needed]
Since starting up in 2000, Green-Works has taken more than 60,000 tonnes of furniture. When a product cannot be sold, it is dismantled and recycled. This procedure has given Green-Works a coveted Queen's Award. Green-Works has saved around £2.5 million from others buying their recycled materials.[3]
Green-Works, along with NGO Construction & Development Partnership (CODEP), and Build on Books (BoB) delivered 200,000 books to 100 schools in Waterloo, Sierra Leone, helping illiterate children in the country.[4] A further 500,000 books are to be delivered in 2010 to enhance the 'book to person' ratio in the country.[5]
Green-Works also donates furniture to other projects.
References
edit- ^ Frost, Maisha (2004). "We're sitting Pretty" (PDF). Daily Express.[permanent dead link]
- ^ MacNamara, William (2008). "Changing people's lives while saving the planet" (PDF). Financial Times. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-02-19. Retrieved 2010-03-29.
- ^ Robertson, Chiyo (6 October 2008). "Social entrepreneurs: green and good". BBC News.
- ^ Turner, Rebecca (22 March 2010). "How UK recycling brings hope to one post-conflict African community". Guardian. London.
- ^ Hearn, Rebecca (2010). "UK recycling creates libraries in Sierra Leone". The London Book Fair.