Businesses need partners who walk the talk when it comes to sustainability. At Unisource Solutions, sustainability isn't a trend—it's been at the core of our business since 1987, beginning with our efforts to help clients reuse and recycle existing furniture. As we look ahead in 2025, our commitment has only grown stronger in response to evolving climate challenges and resource demands.
A Legacy of Sustainable Practices
For over three decades, Unisource Solutions has partnered with forward-thinking clients to minimize waste and lower environmental footprints across all areas of business. Our mission remains clear as we face growing climate demands: increase awareness, eliminate unnecessary waste, and lead with intention.
As a furniture dealer, manufacturer, and service provider, we understand the role our operations play in shaping environmental outcomes. That's why we're focused on continuous improvement—designing smarter, working cleaner, and collaborating with our clients to build spaces that meet the demands of both people and planet.
Our Nine-Point Sustainability Framework
Our comprehensive approach to sustainability encompasses multiple facets of our business operations:
- High Standards: We require our service partners and the manufacturers we represent to operate at rigorous sustainable standards.
- Pollution Prevention: We implement effective waste management programs that prevent pollution for both ourselves and our clients.
- Hybrid Workplace: We maintain and support a hybrid workplace model that reduces employee emissions and pollution impact.
- Charitable Decommissioning: Our decommission services support charities through strategic donation programs.
- Sustainable Sourcing: We prioritize environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, including FSC-certified wood, recycled materials, and low-emission finishes.
- Locally Made: Our Platform furniture division manufactures locally in Los Angeles, supporting the local economy while reducing transportation-related emissions.
- Packaging Refusal: We employ a refusal policy for excess cardboard in our receiving department.
- Carbon-Conscious Design: We utilize carbon estimator tools in our design process to promote environmentally responsible practices.
- Sustainability Education: We provide LEED and other sustainable education resources to help customers extend the life of their furniture.
The Circular Economy in Action
Our commitment to the circular economy means we're constantly finding ways to maximize the value of our clients' resources while minimizing environmental impact. In 2024 alone, we diverted 430 tons of reused, recycled, and repurposed products and materials from landfills, generating $63,000 in savings for end users.
Our approach follows an industry-standard waste hierarchy that prioritizes the most sustainable options first:
- Prevent: We continuously improve processes for packaging, inventory management, and materials sourcing.
- Reduce: We pursue environmentally friendly and sustainable materials.
- Reuse: We repair, repurpose, and donate usable items whenever possible.
- Recycle: We recover raw materials where possible.
- Responsibly Processed Waste: Landfill disposal is used only as a last resort.
Responsible Decommissioning: A Sustainable Transition Strategy
Our innovative decommissioning services help clients like PNC Bank, Harbor–UCLA Medical Center, State Fund, and Union Bank transition to new workspaces responsibly. Using an advanced inventory system, we repair, refurbish, and repurpose assets wherever possible. When it's time to reconfigure or launch a new workspace, we access what's on hand and redeploy it with intention—minimizing waste, extending asset life, and maximizing value.
Our eco-conscious decommissioning processes include:
- Rebuilt Responsibility: Redeploying existing inventory for new office configurations
- Full Circle Reporting: Providing detailed reports showing how items were diverted or donated
- Efficient Moves with Minimal Impact: Using hybrid trucks to reduce environmental impact
- Fast and Efficient Service: Meeting timeline and budget needs while maintaining environmental responsibility
Community Impact Through Sustainable Donations
In 2024, Unisource Solutions donated 34,000 pounds of quality office furniture to nonprofit organizations and charities, including the Boys & Girls Club of Conejo Valley. These contributions not only supported local communities but also extended the life of valuable assets that might otherwise have ended up in landfills.
To date, more than 60 nonprofit organizations have received furniture through our donation program, including impactful projects with organizations like State Fund and Union Bank that resulted in substantial charitable giving.
Building Better Together
Our sustainability efforts extend to our partnerships with manufacturers who share our values. Platform by Unisource Solutions partners only with local manufacturers who operate with high environmental awareness, using 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber particle board and 100% recyclable shipping materials.
We're also proud of our partnerships with companies like Haworth and Humanscale, who join us in our commitment to people and planet. Together with Humanscale, we've achieved remarkable environmental savings over the past four years:
- 63,404 kg of CO2e
- 162,850 gallons of water
- 199,994 kWh of energy
Moving Forward
At Unisource Solutions, we believe sustainability is not just a responsibility—it's an opportunity to innovate and create better workplaces. As we continue our sustainability journey in 2025 and beyond, we remain committed to learning, improving, and working alongside our clients to make lasting, measurable progress for our communities and the planet.
Together, we can shape a better, more sustainable future—one workplace at a time.
Unisource Sustainability Commitment 2025 Annual Report
Discover how Unisource Solutions is leading the way in sustainable innovation—download our 2025 Sustainability Commitment annual report now.
