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IET upcycles over 43 tonnes of furniture to benefit schools and community clubs

Published: Wed 23 Jun 2021

The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has donated over 43 tonnes of furniture for the benefit of schools and community clubs across the country, as its main office undergoes a full redevelopment.

Michael Faraday House (MFH) in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, had three floors of furniture that was no longer needed. During the building’s decant the IET worked with Spacecraft – a leading furniture dealership – to give the furniture a new lease of life within schools, clubs and organisations who were in need, ensuring zero waste went to landfill.

The IET has supplied furniture to Davenant Foundation School, Woodford Green Athletics Club and Essex Ladies, St Thomas of Canterbury Church, and DBear – a new start-up company in Amersham.

Richard Mundy, Head of Facilities at the IET, said: “It’s important to us that our building’s refurbishment is built and run in the most sustainable way. We have made a commitment to reduce, reuse or recycle as much as possible, with no waste going to landfill.

“Through the scheme we have been able to provide schools and organisations with tables, desks and chairs, some who have had the same desks for over 25-years. It’s lovely to know we are able to give something back to the local community.”

Mr Thorne, Headteacher at Davenant Foundation School, said: “Thank you for brightening up our school, I have many happy children because of this injection of quality and exciting furniture.”

Rehousing the furniture has taken the strain off organisations who rely on volunteers like Woodford Green Athletics Club and Essex Ladies. The club’s president, Cowsi Magol, said: “It will certainly be useful and will replace some of the old furniture we have. This is recycling at its best.”

Once all furniture was donated to those in need, Spacecraft separated the wood and metal to recycle what was left – over 84 tonnes.

The refurbishment comes as the IET looks to invest in the future and its commitment as a responsible, local employer. The new-look building will feature innovative and technologically smart workspaces with accessibility, sustainability and employee well-being as a key focus for the plans.

The IET, in its pledge to sustainability, has joined the Investors in the Environment (iiE) environmental accreditation scheme. The refurbishment is also looking to achieve BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) certification to ensure construction is carried out sustainably.

The building works will continue for the majority of 2021 and further updates on the renovations can be followed on the IET’s social media accounts: @theiet on Twitter and Instagram and The Institution of Engineering and Technology on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For more information about career opportunities and to read about life at the IET, visit the dedicated webpage.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

About the IET

  • We inspire, inform and influence the global engineering community to engineer a better world.
  • We are a diverse home for engineering and technology intelligence throughout the world. This breadth and depth means we are uniquely placed to help the sector progress society.
  • We want to build the profile of engineering and technology to change outdated perceptions and tackle the skills gap. This includes encouraging more women to become engineers and growing the number of engineering apprentices.
  • Interview opportunities are available with our spokespeople from a range of engineering and technology disciplines including cyber-security, energy, engineering skills, innovation, manufacturing, technology, transport and diversity in engineering.
  • For more information, visit www.theiet.org
  • Follow the IET on Twitter.

Media enquiries to:

Hannah Kellett
External Communications Manager
E: HKellett@theiet.org

Sophie Lockhart
Senior Communications Executive
E: SLockhart@theiet.org