(MUSCATINE, IA — OCTOBER, 2008) — Solidifying its position as a leader in sustainability and environmental responsibility, Allsteel Inc. has become the first U.S. manufacturer to partner with Green Solutions North America, Inc. The newly formed alliance allows Allsteel to connect its clients with Green Solutions’ Revive program, which removes unwanted assets—including office furnishings and equipment—and repurposes the useable materials, either donating them to nonprofit organizations, schools and healthcare facilities, or else recycling them locally.
“The Green Solutions Revive concept is simple yet brilliant, and we are enormously proud to be a partner because it offers our clients a cost-effective and environmentally responsible solution for disposing of everything from unwanted desks and carpeting to computers and copy machines,” said Mike Veal, Allsteel’s Vice President of Sustainability and Alliance Partnerships. “It has the potential to reduce tons of waste from landfills as renovated or new facilities are developed. And, in managing the entire divestiture process, Green Solutions also provides us with a complete stream analysis, ensuring accountability on each project.
Based in Nova Scotia where it began operations two years ago, Green Solutions already has an exceptional track record. This year the company had 300 furniture-removal projects that directly benefitted 160 schools and 300 charities throughout Canada. In its migration to the U.S., it has opened offices in Atlanta and Minneapolis, with another 16 locations planned in the coming year, including New York, Chicago and Houston. The partnership with Allsteel represents a whole new opportunity in this country to bring its repurposing services to the contract design and building industry.
“When we first met with Allsteel, we were immediately impressed with its absolute commitment to sustainability and knew it would be a perfect fit with our Revive program,” said Green Solutions Chief Executive Jim Reid. “We live in a throw away culture and this has to change. It’s no longer acceptable business practice. Allsteel is showing great support for this change by partnering with us”.
According to Veal, Green Solutions also will be an integral part of Allsteel’s own Take Back program, which guarantees that if Allsteel cannot repair its lifetime-guaranteed products or if they are at the end of their use, it will remove and recycle them locally at no cost. Green Solutions will manage this removal process, which includes the new Acuity chair, the #19 chair plus other product lines. “We are fortunate to have a partner like Green Solutions that allows us to simultaneously enhance our client services and sustainability efforts,” said Allsteel president Eugene Sung. “Corporate responsibility is rooted in relationships like these. Working together, we can truly impact the entire industry.”
About Allsteel Inc.
Allsteel Inc. designs, builds and delivers progressive and relevant workplace furniture solutions. The company has Resource Centers in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Washington, D.C., and Toronto, ON. For more information visit www.allsteeloffice.com. For more information on Green Solutions North America Inc. and its Revive program, visit www.revive-d.com.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Esther Perman/ Nicole Janok
Veeder+Perman, (212) 966-3759
or
Mary Palmer, Allsteel
(563) 272-3876