Office Furniture Warehouse, LLC made its first contribution to green|spaces’ “Save It Forward” initiative from corporate partnership program aimed at multiplying effects of local sustainability efforts.
Over nine million tons of furniture end up in the landfill annually, according to a 2009 report from the EPA. Office Furniture Warehouse, LLC (www.ofwllc.com) strives to reduce that impact by providing solutions with used and recycled furniture wherever possible, diverting furniture from the waste stream back into good use.
Now, OFW is endeavoring to couple waste reduction with energy savings, partnering with green|spaces to “Save It Forward” for communities experiencing exorbitant levels of energy usage and utility bills.
For every used or reconditioned chair sold over $100, OFW has pledged to contribute the value of one energy savings kit/education to green|spaces in an effort to give back to the community that John Jerman, OFW founder and president, attributes his company’s success. “We’re located in the 37406 zip code, one of green|spaces’ targets. If residents of target communities are not our customers, they’re our neighbors, and we owe our success to the community that’s helped us grow.”
OFW kicked off the corporate partnership program on Earth Day 2016 and made the first donation to green|spaces on July 11, resulting in a contribution of $400 – the approximate value of providing the education and resources necessary to reduce utility expenses for 50 homes in communities identified as experiencing above-average energy consumption and below-average levels of income.
“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to align with an organization fostering genuine, community engagement in pursuit of sustainability, one of OFW’s main goals,” said Mr. Jerman. “We want to see an unfortunate cycle broken - for these communities to regain control of their expenses, retain disposable income, and improve the quality of life within. That’s why OFW is helping to Save It Forward.”
Office Furniture Warehouse, LLC will continue the partnership by making further donations from proceeds of used and recycled furniture sales, making space available to green|spaces for hosting energy savings workshops, and finding new ways to “Save It Forward” in the Chattanooga community.
Office Furniture Warehouse, LLC, winner of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce’s 2014 Small Business of the Year Award, has a showroom and office in Chattanooga. OFW seeks to streamline the process of responding to growth, change, and relocation in office, healthcare, educational, and government environments by offering a wide selection of new and used commercial furniture and facilities services including commercial moving, office move management, and furniture reconditioning.