Pictured above: Karl Ward, Managing Director at ORS UK

ORS UK, the Midlands based office furniture recycling specialists, has released the results of its Office Furniture 4 Schools and Charities initiative for 2009.

Pioneered by ORS UK in 2006, the scheme helps schools and charities benefit from significantly discounted prices of up to 50 per cent of the resale price on refurbished office and classroom furniture.  Since then, schools and charities across the region have made savings in excess of £60,000, with approximately £25,000 saved this year alone. 

The innovative programme was established to give registered schools and charities access to essential furniture at reduced prices. With many businesses facing the problem of unwanted furniture disposal, the initiative aids businesses with the disposal of the unwanted furniture in a responsible way and at no extra cost, knowing that charities and schools will benefit and no waste will go to landfill.

Over 30 public and independent schools and charities in the Midlands have benefitted from the programme, including The Bramblings Independent Learning Community, The Islamic Foundation, Harvey Girls, Newhall Pre-School and Sutton Coldfield College.

In addition, ORS has worked internationally by donating over 400 classroom tables and chairs to schools in Gambia via the Bridge the Gap Foundation, which has made a great impact on the quality of the students' lives and experience of school.

Karl Ward, Managing Director at ORS UK, said: "A sense of responsibility lies at the heart of everything we do.  Saving furniture from landfill, helping the environment and helping companies save money are all part of our everyday operations. The Office Furniture 4 Schools and Charities initiative is just one part of our commitment to ethical practice."

Although the company began by selling new and used furniture, ORS UK has seen overwhelming demand for its office clearance service. By removing unwanted furniture such as desks, chairs and pedestals from businesses which no longer need them, refurbishing them and reselling them at discounted prices, the company has helped save thousands of items from landfill.

Karl added: "Companies are coming under increasing pressure to meet Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and the responsible disposal of furniture is one way to meet CSR objectives.  Without exception, 98 per cent of the furniture we receive is resold having been refurbished and brought back to as good as new condition. The 2 per cent of furniture which is not suitable for reconditioning is used for parts or recycled, meaning nothing at all is wasted."