Through recycling, reselling and donation, Green Standards and Cigna aim to divert 95% of excess furniture and office equipment from landfill while helping communities.
The world is reimagining how we will work, collaborate, and socialize after the pandemic – and that includes our work environments. While that may mean more open spaces and less furniture, it does not have to mean more landfill waste.
Thanks to a partnership with Green Standards, Cigna has reaffirmed efforts to recycle, resell or donate unneeded office furniture and equipment as they evolve their workspaces. This Earth Day, Cigna and Green Standards are officially committed to better manage Cigna’s surplus furniture and supplies with the goal of diverting 95% or more of that surplus and from landfills. With Green Standards’ help, Cigna will repurpose these assets for communities in need to better serve the environment and the communities where their employees live and work.
Extending the lifecycle of furniture assets
“Purpose drives everything we do at Cigna,” said Sanjiv Awasthi, Cigna’s vice president of global real estate. “Local donations can make a big difference not just in a single community – but toward overall global climate efforts. All of our actions add up to help reduce our environmental footprint.”
Social & Environmental Impact
Green Standards is thrilled with Cigna’s commitment to their environment and community and looks forward to the partnership. This shared goal will go a long way to helping Green Standards build upon 10 years that’s already seen over 90,000 tons of workplace furniture and equipment diverted from landfill and $35 million of in-kind donations made to 5,000 non-profits and communities across North America.
“We’re honored to work with Cigna to responsibly recycle and find homes for their no-longer needed office furniture and supplies,” said Green Standards President Trevor Langdon. “Cigna could’ve taken the easy way out and dumped their surplus furniture, but their commitment to social impact, environmental stewardship and community health is evident by making this effort.”
A recent project at one of Cigna’s Minnesota worksites was the first of many to recycle office furnishings and provide in-kind donations to local non-profits. One of those organizations was Bridging, a non-profit that provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.
The dignity of choice—being able to have pride in your home is one of the values that Bridging is built upon. We see artwork as an essential item for that reason—it truly goes the extra mile to help people make their house a home. We are so grateful to Green Standards and Cigna for this donation.
Mark Wilkening, Executive Director at Bridging
In all, 100% of Cigna’s surplus inventory in Minnesota was kept out of landfills through this project.
Through 2021 and into 2022, Cigna and Green Standards have partnered on a number of other projects including sustainable office decommissions in Alabama, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, California, Connecticut and New Jersey. To date, more than 20 non-profit and community organizations have received furniture and equipment donations near those project sites.
About Green Standards
Capturing Value In Workplace Change
Green Standards has spent the last decade developing rigorous practices and global networks that deliver optimal value from workplace decommissioning. Our enterprise program measures and maximizes ESG performance while virtually eliminating landfill waste. A partner to the world’s largest organizations, Green Standards enables the efficient and ethical redistribution of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) during times of workplace change.
Media Contact: Marc Borins, 1-855-632-8036
