Summary: IRN – The Reuse Network marks a significant milestone by successfully executing over 2,500 furniture reuse projects nationwide, reinforcing its commitment and success in fostering a culture of reuse and reducing landfill waste.
(Concord, NH) IRN: The Reuse Network serves as a vital bridge connecting surplus furnishings with the needy. By matching surplus furnishings and equipment from schools, universities, corporations, and other organizations with the needs of charities and nonprofits across the globe, IRN has established a comprehensive reuse solution, which has now been put to work more than 2,500 times.
This is a ‘win win’: it aids organizations in managing their surplus assets, while helping disadvantaged and disaster-stricken schools and communities that receive usable furnishings. IRN’s formula and decades of experience have bridged the gap between excess and need, providing a lifeline of resources to impoverished communities and those recovering from civil conflict and natural disasters.
Since its inception in 2002, The Reuse Network has diverted 105 million pounds – more than two million individual items – of usable furniture and equipment from landfills, having a profound impact on environmental conservation. The Reuse Network has worked with a robust clientele of more than 700 organizations throughout the United States that have provided their excess furnishings for reuse, and has fostered partnerships with over 400 nonprofit recipient organizations. With the completion of over 2,500 reuse projects, The Reuse Network has solidified its position as a national leader in promoting sustainable reuse practices.
The issue of furniture waste has worsened over recent decades, with Americans discarding over 12 million tons of furniture annually, a figure that has soared by 450% since 1960 according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The surge in furniture sales during the pandemic, amounting to an increase of over $4 billion from 2019 to 2021, further exacerbates this problem. Despite the recyclability of some furniture components, a significant portion ends up in landfills, as highlighted by the New York Times.
IRN’s formation was inspired by a visit to Boston College, where the founders were struck by the sight of high-quality dorm furniture being discarded. Their realization of the enormous nation- and worldwide potential for reusing surplus items led to the establishment of The Reuse Network. The Reuse Network has since been dedicated to redirecting these valuable resources to communities in need, both locally and globally.
IRN’s contributions have transcended borders, furnishing schools and communities in 71 countries in the the Americas, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia, and in 47 U.S. states.
Media Contact
Contact: James (Jamie) Huffman
Email: jhuffman@ir-network.com
