Real estate services firm Avison Young has helped recycle 12.5 tonnes of furniture, fixtures and fittings from its recent Bristol office refurbishment to be reused by five community groups.
The 2,852 items varied from furniture and light fittings to ceiling tiles and represented in-kind funding of £14,630. Importantly, the firm avoided sending items to landfill. 
Ahead of the refurbishment of its St Catherine’s Court, Clifton, base Avison Young called in Easton upcycler Collecteco to donate all its suitable equipment onto good causes.
By working with its fit-out contractor Company Interiors, Collecteco also ensured road miles were kept to a minimum by backhauling on existing deliveries of new furniture and other supplies.
The organisations to benefit were the Carmel Centre, The Children’s Scrapstore, Community in Partnership and The Chrysalis Project – all in Bristol – and Faith Church Wales in Newport.
Avison Young Principal and Bristol office managing director Gordon Isgrove said: “With the long-awaited refurbishment complete, everyone in the office is extremely proud to know that so much has been donated to good causes.”
Avison Young’s refurbishment introduces a new flexible way of working for the 70-strong office. The introduction of a hub for visitors in the reception area, with booths and desks available for visitors and staff meetings, pictured, replaces a series of small meeting rooms, while hot-desking and homeworking has been welcomed by staff.
“The work environment has been greatly improved following our move into a re-designed space. Staff are benefitting from flexible working arrangements, agile working and a lighter, brighter office. By reducing our floor space from two floors to one, importantly we’ve been able to reduce operating costs,” Gordon added.
“We’ve created a good space for staff, a welcoming environment for clients, and we’ve been able to donate to five good causes as a result of the move.
“The move is a fantastic start to life as Avison Young, following the acquisition of GVA at the beginning of February.”
