Green-Works
Encyclopedia
Green-Works is a registered charity and social enterprise, dedicated to radically changing the way society thinks about waste. Green-Works enables organisations to create social and environmental benefits from their disposal of large quantities of office furniture. Green-Works recycles used and unwanted furniture from UK businesses.
The company started off in 2000 with a £400 capital and a van. In 2007, its turn-over was £2.1 million.
Townsend School in Southwark had 40 children's desks relaminated with a vinyl finish by Green-Works.
Since starting up in 2000, Green-Works has taken more than 60,000 tonnes of furniture that may have otherwise ended up in landfill.
When a product cannot be sold, it is dismantled and recycled. This procedure has landed Green-Works a coveted Queen's Award.
Schools, small businesses and charities have all saved around £2.5 million from buying their furniture from Green-Works.
Recycling not only prevents landfill and methane emissions but it can also provide a much-needed education. This is the case when 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. This has helped reduce the amount of children being illiterate due to insufficient resources in the country. A further 500,000 books are to be delivered in 2010 to enhance the 'book to person' ratio in the country.
Purchasing furniture from Green-Works not only allows organisations to save funds but also helps Green-Works to increase its existing workforce by providing employment opportunities or voluntary opportunities to help those who are at a disadvantage in the employment market.
Green-Works exports to the developing world by donating huge consignments of second-hand furniture to a range of projects.
History
Green-Works was founded by Colin Crooks, CEO in 2000. Mr Crooks was aware of the huge volume of office furniture that was routinely land-filled and that many third sector organisations could not afford decent furniture. The task for Green-Works was to match the market for recycled office furniture with the supply source.The company started off in 2000 with a £400 capital and a van. In 2007, its turn-over was £2.1 million.
Social impact
In 2006, DELCE Primary School had purchased new furniture for its reception area, as well as other furniture for staff and they purchased it at an affordable price without being detrimental to the education of children.Townsend School in Southwark had 40 children's desks relaminated with a vinyl finish by Green-Works.
Since starting up in 2000, Green-Works has taken more than 60,000 tonnes of furniture that may have otherwise ended up in landfill.
When a product cannot be sold, it is dismantled and recycled. This procedure has landed Green-Works a coveted Queen's Award.
Schools, small businesses and charities have all saved around £2.5 million from buying their furniture from Green-Works.
Recycling not only prevents landfill and methane emissions but it can also provide a much-needed education. This is the case when 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. This has helped reduce the amount of children being illiterate due to insufficient resources in the country. A further 500,000 books are to be delivered in 2010 to enhance the 'book to person' ratio in the country.
Purchasing furniture from Green-Works not only allows organisations to save funds but also helps Green-Works to increase its existing workforce by providing employment opportunities or voluntary opportunities to help those who are at a disadvantage in the employment market.
Green-Works exports to the developing world by donating huge consignments of second-hand furniture to a range of projects.