Furniture waste problem

Citation

(2001), "Furniture waste problem", Facilities, Vol. 19 No. 11/12. https://doi.org/10.1108/f.2001.06919kab.001

Furniture waste problem

Furniture waste problemKeywords: Waste management, Cost reduction, Environment, Sustainable development

The Furniture Industry Environment Trust (FIET) have begun research into new packaging methods, looking to improve environmental performance and increase consumer satisfaction, thanks to a £61,069 grant from Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund set up by Biffa Waste Services.

For any industry to contribute towards national sustainable development, it must continually seek to improve its performance in environmental and waste management – with this in mind it is important that the furniture industry has access to information on new packaging technologies. The award will therefore be used to critically evaluate the types and volumes of material used to package a standard product. Results of the research will be available free of charge to the industry via a best practice report.

The objectives of the project are to reduce waste and associated costs and implement the use of more sustainable packaging procedures. For recommendations to be based on current state-of-the-art information a detailed study of processes in other industry sectors and countries will be also be undertaken.

The £61,069 grant includes contributions from Silentnight Holdings plc, FFC Ltd (Fitted Furniture Centre Ltd) and The Symphony Group plc. Under Government regulations only 90 per cent of a grant can be provided from landfill tax – the remaining 10 per cent must come from another source.

Biffa provides a range of municipal, commercial and industrial waste collection services including the management of 38 landfill restoration projects across the UK. The £6.5 million a year Biffaward fund has been set up, using tax charged on waste taken into landfill sites, to help finance environmental and heritage projects.

Martin Bettington, chairman of Biffaward, said: "The project plans to critically evaluate the way in which the furniture industry packages its products, with the aim of reducing the levels of waste, as well as implementing improved sustainable packaging procedures. Biffaward is keen to support sustainable development within industries, helping meet the Government's 'Waste Strategy 2000' targets."

Ken Fullalove, Chairman of FIET, said: "The Biffaward funding will prove invaluable in aiding the Furniture Industry Environment Trust to develop programmes and initiatives to assist the UK furniture industry in its drive towards sustainability and improved environmental performance."

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