Charities and voluntary organisations across Scotland are being offered the chance to pick up free or discounted quality office furniture – and do their bit to help the environment.

Recycle Scotland is launching a renewed drive to help firms meet their corporate social responsibility commitments by finding new homes for surplus office fixtures and equipment which typically would be sent to landfill.

The group has now set a target of saving 1000 tonnes of office furniture from landfill in 2011 - and is now keen to hear from charities, organisations and small businesses who are in need of new fittings for their premises.

Kevin Green, General Manager of Recycle Scotland, said: “Many companies have a clear commitment on corporate social responsibility, with a key aspect of this being a focus on good environmental credentials.

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“So when it comes to replacing furniture for their premises they are anxious to know that the old equipment simply won’t be sent to landfill.

“We are able to offer companies an ethical environmental solution for disposing of their unwanted office furniture while also helping to support good causes in Scotland.

“This service allows charities, as well as firms and organisations, the chance to purchase high quality chairs, desks and other repurposed office furniture at the most cost-effective prices.

“Our aim is to recycle 1000 tonnes of furniture within the next 12 months. It’s an ambitious target but, as we already have forthcoming projects in place with major clients including RBS and Napier University that will account for around half of this total, we hope to achieve this before the end of 2011.

“We’d also hope to hear on an increasing basis from businesses, who may not be aware of our services, and who are interested in knowing that we can ensure their old furniture is properly recycled and does not simply get dumped.”

Recycle Scotland offers refurbished furniture for sale from its operations hub in Livingston, West Lothian.

The organisation is also planning to expand its range of services in the future to include recycling other business assets such as IT systems, white goods and construction waste – eventually expanding Recycling Scotland to provide an all-in-one recycling solution to suit every business sector across Scotland.

(GK/KMcA)