Action Furniture Match OLD
furniture match

furniturematch©

Gently used furniture gets another life 
IIDA NY supporting circular economy

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WHY FURNITURE?

The New York Times highlights the issue of discarded furniture and the negative impact to New York City, with over 2,000 companies in the city with furniture and equipment stored in Dumbo warehouses since the pandemic. Nationally, RTS  (Recycle Track Systems), estimates over 12.2 tons of furniture waste generated in the U.S.

  • The cost of purchasing new furniture can be prohibitively expensive for many community-based non-profit organizations. 
  • Companies are moving into new spaces and have furniture they no longer need.

     

     

WHY FURNITURE MATCH?

Mission Statement
FurnitureMatch© aims to bridge the gap between community organizations and furniture that is destined for the dump by creating a platform that connects donors with users. FurnitureMatch© promotes reuse, beautification and supports the circular economy. 

Vision Statement
IIDA NY Catalyst FurnitureMatch© serves as a hub to provide mutually beneficial furniture matches, diverting waste from the landfill.  The platform will connect non-profit stakeholders and designers to furniture liquidators, circular economy experts, non-profit organizations, community centers, and the NY Department of Sanitation. We look to expand and solidify these partnerships for a mutually beneficial reuse ecosystem.

The FurnitureMatch© platform provides: 

For NY non-profit Community Organizations:

  • A (free) subscribership to organizations that have large-scale inventory.
  • Design services through IIDA NY Catalyst for qualified projects.
  • Quality furniture contributing to healthy work environments.

For A&D professionals who want to give back:

  • Access to non-profit organizations seeking design services.
  • Facilitation and participation through take-backs or donations of discontinued items.

For Circular Economy Experts: The opportunity to participate and have their company website linked as a resource.  

For Donors: To direct links to organizations that process re-used furniture (for a fee) and a platform that supports how your contributions can benefit participants. 

For the City: Support for the DSNY Zero Waste Pledge and the NYC Zero Waste Challenge.

For the Planet: a different relationship with resources, proof of concept showcasing how design-for-all can result through waste diversion.

 

KEY PARTNERS

Project Leads 

Jennifer Graham
D.F.A. (Hon), FIIDA, LEED AP, IIDA Board Member – VP Action, IIDA NY Catalyst Co-chair
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercgraham

Reem Makkawi
AIA Assoc., LEED AP, IIDA NY Catalyst Committee 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkmakkawi

[email protected]

Project Support 

IIDA New York: International Interior Design Association NY Chapter

IIDA NY: Chapter Catalyst Group 

Circular Economy Resources/Furniture Partnerships

Rheaply (free subscription for non-profit members) https://rheaply.com/

Mebl https://meblfurniture.com/

Envirotech https://www.envirotechoffice.com/

CANOA https://www.canoa.supply/

DSNY donateNYC https://www.nyc.gov/assets/donate/site/home

Community Organizations & Non-Profit Partnerships 

Kingsbridge Heights Community Center

Elmy’s Special Services

Artist for Humanity

Education for Employment

Leviticus Fund

 

FAQ

  1. What is FurnitureMatch©?
    • Link here
  2. How do I access design services as a (non-profit) community organization?
    • Fill out the contacts form linked here
  3. I am a non-profit; how do I access furniture without design services?
    • For direct needs Rheaply offers a free subscribership to registered non-profits
  4. Do I need to be a member of IIDA?
    • No, Any organization can take advantage or be considered a partner of FurnitureMatch© if your mission aligns with our mission.
  5. Do in need to be in NYC or the NE Region?
    • Any non-profit in any US region can take advantage of FurnitureMatch© and our partners
  6. How can I donate furniture?
    • You can connect directly with our partners here
  7. How can I discard furniture legally?
    • Access our furniture hauling and discard partners here
  8. How can I contribute monetarily?
    • You can contribute as a non-profit community organization or as an A&D professional here
    • You can become a FurnitureMatch© sponsor. Go to our form and fill out your sponsorship level here