Social value in sustainable clearance
JLL are a world leader in real estate services and provide global investment management advice. It is the second largest company of its kind in the world.
JLL recently relocated to Landmark St. Peter’s Square in Manchester and required support with a sustainable clearance of their original site and were prioritising a circular economy focused approach that would also deliver social value throughout the process.
Full transparency and working in partnership
Crown Workspace were selected to partner with JLL because of our clear narrative on and experience of delivering circular economy focussed solutions. Crown Workspace carried out a comprehensive site audit and carefully planned the sustainable clearance prioritising the principles of the waste hierarchy. We focussed on maximising the value of the resources and delivering the best economic, environmental and social outcome from the project.
COVID-19 heavily impacted the schedule, requiring additional planning as well as managing unplanned delays. We had to work on uncertain timescales whilst having to ensure we implemented safe working practices for staff and clients. This included the use of PPE, adhering to social distancing measures and much more.
However, transparency and partnership resulted in a strong and viable social and environmental outcome for JLL.
Over 90% reuse achieved – with financial rebates for resale and recycling
Following our comprehensive asset management review over 800 items were audited, falling into 30 different category types. We developed the best resale and reuse options available and presented these to JLL.
All items deemed to have a resale value were returned to our Renew Centre where they were refurbished and repaired, utilising sustainable materials, ready for their next use.
Over 50% of the costs from the project were met by rebates from the furniture and IT resale and metal recycling rebates.
Delivering value from the used office furniture:
- 134 items of furniture resold via Office Resale, which is our online retail channel selling affordable, high quality, used office furniture from all the leading brands.
- Over 8 tonnes of CO2 (e) saved
- 6 tonnes of furniture diverted back in use via resale
Delivering value from the used IT equipment:
- 94 Dell monitors and 17 PCs were resold via IT Resale, which is our online retail channel selling quality used IT and electrical equipment from well-known and reputable brands to individuals and businesses.
- Nearly 0.5 tonnes of CO2 (e) saved by reusing these screens
- Other IT & AV items are still being assessed and tested for donation and recycling
Our Giving Back Project – investing in social value as a priority
Crown’s Giving Back Project is a charitable initiative that helps clients donate redundant assets to charities, schools and socials enterprises. Through this we were able to support JLL in their aspiration to give back to the community.
To maximise donation for this project, we partnered with Business to Schools to help facilitate the redistribution of assets, JLL donated £2,000 to Business to Schools to help divert as many assets back into reuse as possible.
From this project we have been able to donate furniture, electrical items, artwork and catering equipment to Steyning Grammar School, Abbey Multi Trust School and East Clayton Farm Special Needs School. In total over 500 items were delivered and donated from the JLL site which achieved 45 tonnes of CO2 (e) savings whilst avoiding 15 tonnes going to landfill.
“We estimate the value of the furniture donated from JLL and The Giving Back Project to be worth over £30,000 in total.”
Lindsey Parslow, Chief Executive Business2Schools
“The delivery was perfect! The driver was extremely helpful and professional. We are so grateful for the amazing donation of furniture! It’s fabulous stuff! It is going to look amazing!”
Steyning Grammar School
Minimising environmental impact through recycling and recovery
With the focus on reuse, over 90% of items managed have been sent for reuse, representing 57% of the tonnage from this project.
Metal was segregated for close loop recycling and returned a financial rebate for JLL. The other waste items were sent for mechanical sorting and recovery at a local facility. IT/AV and WEEE items were returned to our Renew IT facility to be audited and tested so it could be established if resale or donation was an option prior to recycling.
Unclaimed items of clothing were bagged and taken to a local clothes recycling facility. Crockery and kitchen equipment were boxed up and donated to Business to Schools.
Spare ceiling and carpet tiles were collected and left stored for reuse. Artwork was collated, wrapped for donation to schools. The building was left clear ready for return to the landlord.
“JLL selected Crown Workspace to deliver the sustainable clearance of our existing Manchester office, as part of our wider circular economy strategy. It was apparent, throughout the process that Crown’s values and services clearly aligned with JLL’s agenda to maximise resource and social value opportunities in the project.
Despite this project being significantly impacted by the Covid19 office shutdown and the need to adapt to safety and organisational challenges associated with new working conditions, Crown Workspace helped JLL deliver outstanding sustainable outcomes. Their deep understanding of resource value, combined with professional levels of service resulted in positive economic, environmental and social value stories that assist JLL in its aspirations to advocate for the transition to a truly circular economy.”
Stuart Cochrane, Workplace Sustainability Manager, JLL