Reuse as Standard Practice at Notre Dame
SUMMARY
In 2008 the University of Notre Dame asked Steelcase dealer Business Furnishings to make possible reuse of surplus furniture from a Law School renovation. Since that first request, Notre Dame has returned for eight more projects.
Notre Dame is typical of corporate, education, and healthcare clients nationwide. They care about Sustainability, and they don’t want usable furniture thrown away. They turn to Steelcase for help. And Steelcase, with IRN, can deliver
OVERVIEW
The University of Notre Dame has an active sustainability program, with a serious commitment to waste reduction. Planning a renovation of their Law School library, Notre Dame wanted to do something better than throw their used, but still usable, furniture into a landfill. In late 2008 the school reached out to Business Furnishings, their longtime Steelcase dealer, for help.
Business Furnishings, in turn, contacted IRN – The Reuse+Recycling Network. IRN is a Steelcase business partner, specializing in reuse of Steelcase clients’ surplus furniture. When repurpose or resale of old furniture is impossible, IRN makes a match with charities in the U.S. and worldwide, and recycles the small amount that cannot be reused. On a typical Steelcase-IRN project, nothing goes to disposal.
In January 2009, Business Furnishings and IRN packed eight tractor trailers with nearly 1,300 pieces of surplus Notre Dame furniture, which was provided to needy communities in Haiti and Jamaica. t was juIst the beginning. Since that first project, reuse has become standard practice at Notre Dame in renovations, cleanouts, and replacements, and Notre Dame has turned to Business Furnishings and IRN for assistance on another eight projects.
In January 2009, Business Furnishings and IRN packed eight tractor trailers with nearly 1,300 pieces of surplus Notre Dame furniture, which was provided to needy communities in Haiti and Jamaica. t was juIst the beginning. Since that first project, reuse has become standard practice at Notre Dame in renovations, cleanouts, and replacements, and Notre Dame has turned to Business Furnishings and IRN for assistance on another eight projects.
“Disposing of the furniture would have cost $20,000; it only cost $14,000 to repurpose it. The story got picked up by The Wall Street Journal. My client told me this project drew more comments and calls than any of the other ten major projects they did during the year.”
Mark Macheca, President, Business Furnishings LLC
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME REUSE PROJECTS - 5 YEARS
| Location | Inventory | Pieces | Destination |
| Law School | Library, Academic, Cafeteria | 1,288 | Haiti, Jamaica |
| Walsh Hall | Dormitory | 1655 | Jamaica |
| Zahm Hall; Warehouse | Dormitory; Office | 540 | Guatemala |
| 602 North Ironwood Dr. | Tablet Arm Chairs | 305 | Detroit, MI |
| Keenan Hall | Dormitory | 882 | El Salvador |
| Storage Trailers | Dormitory; Office | 165 | El Salvador |
| Facilities Department Storage | Tablet Arm Chairs | 525 | Guatemala |
| Lyons Hall Phase 1 | Dormitory | 374 | Guatemala |
| Lyons Hall Phase 2 | Dormitory | 346 | Guatemala, Mexico |
| Total: | 5,080 |
WHY REUSE?
Reuse Matters to Clients
It’s not just schools like Notre Dame. Look at the website for practically any Steelcase client. Chances are “Sustainability” is on their home page, and if not it is a click away. They don’t want usable furniture going into the trash. They want a solution, and they’re looking to Steelcase and their dealers for help.
It Sets Steelcase Apart
Steelcase offers the most successful reuse program in the nation. Steelcase competitors have nothing comparable. When you offer reuse to a client, whether or not it’s tied to a sale of new product, it sets you apart, gives clients something to remember, and another reason to keep you on speed dial..
It Generates Revenue
Think of reuse as a reverse installation. There’s revenue to remove client’s furnishings and pack trailers, and a markup on IRN’s costs.
It’s Simple
Once you put reuse in IRN’s hands, it will get done. IRN has worked with Steelcase dealers on more than 100 projects. Our job is to give you the benefits of reuse, with no headaches, and no extra work.
It's Great PR
IRN provides detailed reporting on where and to whom surplus has been distributed, and helps with press releases and other publicity
“With Steelcase and IRN, we’ve found an answer that is a win-win-win: the furniture isn’t going to a landfill, worthy charities are receiving much needed furnishings, and the project saved Notre Dame money.”
Julie Boynton, Senior Project Manager, University of Notre Dame
