Everything we do makes a difference
The negative effect of Elm on the environment is minimal as we do not manufacture the products, however through our Environmental Management System we monitor our suppliers closely to ensure that the effect on the environment through the whole supply chain is kept within acceptable levels from using wood from sustainable forests to re-using the oil in delivery vehicles.
Our commitment to the environment is second to none. We have been accredited ISO 14001 which keeps us focused on minimising how our entire operations negatively affect the environment.
We also have initiatives in place with our manufacturers aimed at reducing packaging materials. Indeed any packaging from the products we deliver are returned (by us) to our warehouse where it is compacted and collected by reputable recycling companies.
Furthermore we have programmes in place to increase the life span of the products which can be returned, broken down into components and then re-used.
Elm Greenspace
Our sister company Elm Greenspace, part of the Elm Group, is dedicated to helping the environment by eliminating redundant educational and office furniture from landfill with a primary focus of re using this redundant furniture.
We collect the furniture from large office establishments to single offices, repair and re-deliver this quality used furniture to alternative businesses and educational authorities. We recycle our own cardboard used to protect products, our waste office paper, polystyrene and our own printer cartridges. A service to help us, and the organisations we work with avoid landfill.
Recover
Elm will collect all your old office furniture and identify a suitable solution to avoid landfill, this falls into two categories:
Re-Use
Furniture in good repair will be collected and brought back to Elm premises, cleaned up and offered to re-sale, therefore avoiding landfill.
Recycle
Items passed their best and no longer useable are dismantled, and where possible sent for recycling.
What happens to the recycled components?
Wood
Sent to a company that prepares it for Biomass Boilers, situated around the UK including some of the larger hospitals. Around 35% is used for the manufacture of new board for use in desks and around 15% is shredded and used for animal bedding.
Metals
The majority of metal used in the manufacture of office furniture is aluminum and steel. Steel is melted down and rolled out into sheets for reusing as different products; aluminum is treated in much the same way.
Plastics
Separated into their individual Polymer (PVC, Polypropylene, Nylon or Polyurethane) they are then sent to the relevant re-processors and turned into plastic granules or pellets. This is then turned into whatever the Polymer is suitable for, including office furniture.
Fabric
Shredded and broken down into individual fibres, it is used for carpet underlay or as filler for sporting equipment e.g. punch bags.
Foam
Shredded and used in the production of reconstituted foam and typically used for carpet underlay.