This is a guest article written in collaboration with Blueline Office Furniture.
Blueline Office Furniture, based in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, has been a leader in providing ergonomic and sustainable office furniture solutions for over two decades. Their extensive product range includes office chairs, desks, filing cabinets, bespoke boardroom tables, and reception furniture, catering to both large offices and individual home workspaces.
A pioneer in FSC certification
Blueline was one of the first businesses in the UK to achieve FSC Chain of Custody certification (FSC®C007915), over 25 years ago, and they continue to champion FSC and sustainable practices. All of Blueline’s products are available with FSC chain of custody certification. Alan Marshall, the owner and Managing Director of Blueline said:
“In the late 1990’s I was searching for a way to improve our environmental credentials. We had already eliminated packaging, switched to renewable power and reduced waste. I came across FSC at an exhibition and we chatted about the certification system. I liked that there was a method, via audit, that we could prove our claims to 3rd parties, but, more importantly, a way to help to protect forests. After discussing this with the other Directors and managers, we decided to get certified. We pioneered FSC into the office furniture market and promoted it into Government departments and other companies. We very pleased when FSC started to appear in tenders from the Government, which vindicated our hard work. To this day, we continue to promote FSC and sustainable purchasing to our customers.”
Reuse, Repair, Recycle
Alan has spearheaded various environmental initiatives, including the use of recycled materials, composting wood waste, and repairing, upcycling and refurbishing furniture. They also stock second-hand office desks, chairs, and other furniture, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste. Their products are manufactured in the UK, reducing their carbon footprint for travel, in an ISO14000 certified production line.
They use the independent Furniture Industry Research Association’s (FIRA) certificate systems to ensure that the factories and products meet strict quality and sustainability criteria. The Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme, FIRA Gold and Ergonomics excellence, provide further assurance that their products meet safety, ergonomic and corporate and social responsibility requirements. On top of this, Blueline collaborates with organisations, such as Green Works, to offer socially responsible disposal of unwanted furniture.
Blueline's dedication to sustainability and quality has earned them a loyal customer base and they are a great example of how businesses can successfully integrate environmentally friendly practices into their operations.
To find out more, head to the Blueline Office Furniture website.