Environmental Impact

We're committed to minimising our environmental impact and maximising positive contributions to the environment.

Our dedication to environmental impact extends to integrating environmentally conscious practices and processes into every aspect of our business operations, allowing us to reduce any harmful effects.

Leaving our world in a better place.

By embedding these environmental practices and processes into our core values and daily operations, we aim to make a significant and lasting difference in preserving our planet’s health for future generations.

A responsibility, and privilege that we don’t take lightly. As such, we continue to explore and embrace manufacturing processes which minimise harmful environmental impacts. We are dedicated to broadening our collection of furniture made from recycled and recyclable materials. We aim to produce quality products that come with highly-recognised certifications and standards, and a 10-year guarantee, ensuring their durability and longevity. Furthermore, we prioritise the repurposing of office furniture to maximise its lifespan, effectively reducing waste. We also actively collaborate with environmental organisations through partnerships and donations.

These are just a few examples of our ongoing efforts to make a positive impact on the environment. Take a moment to explore this page further and understand how we translate our commitment into action.

environmental workspace furniture

Environmental Strategy

The main principles of our environmental strategy are:

  • To design, manufacture and source products containing minimal raw materials
  • To design, manufacture and source products that maximise end of life recyclability
  • To reduce, reuse and recycle waste
  • To develop knowledge of environmental legislation and the effects on our company operations.

Our environmental policies and procedures

Buro has documented policies and procedures in the areas of:

  • Waste management
  • Energy management
  • Packaging management
  • Transport management.

Product Stewardship Programme

An integral part of our efforts lies in reducing our environmental footprint. We are consistently taking innovative approaches to minimise our impact. One initiative is our focus on repurposing furniture, extending its lifecycle rather than resorting to recycling or disposal. This proactive measure aims to curb waste generation and reduce our carbon footprint.

Buro’s Product Stewardship Programme demonstrates our commitment to responsible life cycle management and the core principles of product stewardship and extended producer responsibility. As a leading importer and wholesaler of furniture, we understand that corporate social and environmental responsibility goes beyond the point of sale and warranty periods.

In conjunction with our manufacturing partners and resellers, we will take back all Buro furniture products and recycle them as per our Product Stewardship Programme.

Buro Product Stewardship Programme 2023

Frequently Asked Questions

Product Stewardship Programme

Where are Buro’s drop-off locations based for this programme?

Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne in Australia, and Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.

How do I get my furniture to your drop-off locations?

Contact Buro Customer Services in the first instance. They will arrange for a quote for your furniture to be collected and delivered to our drop-off locations. The customer pays for the transport to the drop-off locations.

Can customers and resellers arrange their own transport to drop their chair(s) off at our Third-Party Logistics (3PL) partners?

Yes, but you will need to contact Buro in the first instance, so that we can prepare the 3PL.

Will you accept any furniture other than Buro brand furniture?

This process applies for Buro brand furniture only (Buro Seating, Konfurb, Mondo, and previous brands ErgoCare and ProEd). It also applies to Buro furniture that we supply to our resellers under their own brands.

Can Buro and Konfurb soft seating products be recycled?

Yes, soft seating can be broken down into their component parts and recycled.

Which furniture components can be recycled?

Steel, cardboard, low-density polyethylene (plastic bags covering seats and backs), polypropylene (shells and seats on some furniture, back covers and under seat covers on others).

Will you take back all furniture, no matter what their condition is?

Yes, we will take back all Buro brand furniture, no matter what its condition is or how old it is. All furniture will be checked, and if it is able to be repurposed, we will go through a rigorous process of cleaning the furniture and making any necessary refurbishments. This may include replacing components like castors, chair bases and the gas lift. It may also involve reupholstering the furniture.

Who are Buro’s partners for repurposing furniture?

Buro are working with Salvation Army in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland. In Christchurch, we work with Mainland Auctions.

Do we need to use Buro’s partners for repurposing furniture?

You may have your own local charities or partners that would benefit from pre-loved furniture. It makes sense to repurpose furniture within your local community if you can as this assists with reducing the carbon footprint from transporting furniture unnecessary distances.

What does Buro do with the money when repurposed furniture is sold via online auction?

Selling repurposed furniture online will only partially offset our costs, given the significant investment in staff time, spare parts, and materials.

Will you take back any furniture that has been damaged in environmental events?

For health and safety reasons, we are unable to take back furniture contaminated from chemical, environmental (such as flooding), or other hazardous events.

Do you have other questions about this programme?

If you’re a reseller please contact your Buro Account Manager, or if you’re a customer please contact our support team in the first instance.

Our Environmental Initiatives

Our support of Greening Australia

Buro donates to Greening Australia, supporting their mission to plant half a billion trees by 2030. They are committed to tackling Australia’s environmental challenges in ways that work for communities, economies and nature; planting millions of native trees and plants, protecting hundreds of native species, and supporting Traditional Owners’ aspirations for restoring the country.

 

Our Trees that Count partnership

Buro is working with Trees that Count to mitigate our CO2 footprint over the next 50 years and help protect New Zealand’s threatened biodiversity. Trees that Count is a conservation charity that plants native trees to increase biodiversity across New Zealand. Our Kahurangi “Committed to Climate 2022” tier status acknowledges our contribution to planting between 500-2000 native trees in 2022.

 

Transporting in cartons to reduce emissions

Buro research shows that shipping and transporting cartons instead of fully assembled chairs helps reduce carbon emissions. Cartons take up 67% less freight volume than a fully assembled chair, meaning lower overall carbon emissions. Our Mondo range is shipped in cartons, ready to assemble.

 

Greening Australia social tile
Backing our native trees with Trees That Count
mondo chair sustainable packaging

Where to buy

Our team and trusted partners can help you find the best ergonomic chairs NZ offers. Find a reseller or showroom today to find the perfect ergonomic chairs to support you or your staff.

Find a reseller

Find a store near you for workplace or home office chairs, commercial interior fit-outs, or healthcare and aged care seating.

Shop online

Choose to shop online from a range of our trusted online Resellers that stock our products.

Find a showroom

Drop into one of our showrooms to talk with an expert, see and test our products in real life.