Relocating without compromising your CSR goals

Business relocations often conjure up images of packed boxes, logistical challenges, no longer required equipment and, unfortunately, lots of waste. But does it have to be that way? Can undertaking a relocation align with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and still be efficient? 

To find out, YPO spoke to Greta Read, spokesperson for Bishop’s Move, one of our trusted framework suppliers and commercial relocation experts, to uncover how businesses from all sectors, including schools, can prioritise sustainability throughout their move.

Q: Greta, business relocations are often seen as disruptive and wasteful. How can organisations, particularly those in the public sector, ensure relocations align with their CSR goals?

Greta Read: Absolutely! Relocating is a chance to reassess operations and adopt more sustainable practices. It’s not just about logistics—it’s about looking at the bigger picture. For example, conducting an asset audit before the move is critical. This allows businesses to understand exactly what they have, where it is, and its current value. For public sector organisations and schools, this is particularly important as budgets are tight, and every opportunity to reuse or repurpose assets should be taken.

By tracking assets, businesses can make informed decisions about what to take to their new location, what to replace, and what to repurpose. It reduces unnecessary transport, cuts costs, and ensures sustainability remains a key focus throughout the move. Combined with refurbishing assets and partnering with charities, relocations can become an opportunity to support CSR objectives rather than compromise them. The key is to plan ahead and choose a removals partner who prioritises sustainability in every aspect of the move – such as Bishop’s Move.

Q: What specific areas should public sector organisations, such as schools, prioritise when planning a sustainable relocation?

Greta Read: There are a few key areas businesses/schools should focus on:

Refurbishment and Reuse - Before disposing of furniture or equipment, consider whether items can be refurbished, repaired, or repurposed. Not everything needs to be replaced. Here, at Bishop’s Move, we work with fantastic partners who will refurbish everything from office chairs to classroom desks, extending their lifespan and saving money.

Waste Management: It’s crucial to choose a relocation partner committed to recycling and donating unwanted items. At Bishop’s Move, we ensure zero waste goes to landfill - a commitment many removal companies struggle to achieve.

Charitable Partnerships: Relocating can be a great opportunity to give back. High-quality furniture, IT equipment, and other assets can be donated to charities or local schools. For example, we recently donated 10,000 floor tiles to Emmaus in St Albans, a fantastic charity that supports homeless individuals by providing both accommodation and employment opportunities.

Plastic-Free Packing: The use of protective packaging and wrapping materials are inevitable during a move, but it doesn’t have to involve harmful single-use plastics. Look for partners who use sustainable, recyclable materials. As part of AGM Group, Bishop’s Move is proud to be fully plastic-free.

Energy-Efficient Storage: Storage is often an integral part of a business relocation. Choosing facilities that minimise energy use and environmental impact is vital. With our network of branches, each with purpose-built storage warehouses, Bishop’s Move provides commercial storage that’s not only efficient but also local, reducing transport-related emissions.

Q: How does Bishop’s Move support the public sector with sustainable relocation solutions?

Greta Read: At Bishop’s Move sustainability is embedded into every service we provide. For example, our refurbishment services help schools and businesses extend the life of furniture and equipment, saving money while reducing waste.

We also partner with local charities, such as Daisy’s Dream in Reading, and various community organisations and schools to donate furniture and equipment in good condition, creating a circular economy where nothing goes to waste.

Our packing materials are entirely plastic-free, aligning with public sector commitments to reduce single-use plastics. Additionally, through our partnership with the World Land Trust, we run the “BubbaTree” initiative, planting a tree for every relocation we complete. Larger projects have the option to plant an acre of forest, supporting global reforestation efforts.

Q: Schools often deal with outdated IT equipment during relocations. How can this be handled sustainably?

Greta Read: IT relocations can be a challenge, but they’re also an opportunity to embrace sustainability. As an approved WEEE waste contractor, Bishop’s Move ensures that redundant IT equipment is either responsibly recycled or repurposed, following strict environmental regulations. This gives schools and public sector organisations peace of mind that their e-waste isn’t contributing to landfill or pollution.

Q: Thank you, Greta. But can organisations really trust that sustainable relocations are achievable? Isn’t it just a nice narrative?

I completely understand the scepticism—it’s easy to assume sustainability is just a buzzword in the relocation industry. But at Bishop’s Move, we have the evidence to prove it’s more than a nice story.

As mentioned earlier, during a recent relocation for CBRE we managed to donate over 10,000 floor tiles, an item that would normally have gone to waste. It was no small task to lift, store, and re-lay them! Our asset audit process helped identify what could be reused, refurbished, or donated, ensuring that nothing ended up in landfill.

Every project we undertake is tracked and measured, and our clients see the tangible impact through recycling reports and follow-up data. And we’re always happy to show examples, data, and certifications to prove it.

Q. Finally, can a relocation really become a strategic opportunity for public sector organisations?

Greta Read: Absolutely. Relocating part of your whole business isn’t just a logistical task - it’s a strategic moment to improve operations, reduce waste, and even give back to the community. For example, refurbishing assets instead of replacing them can save money while reducing environmental impact. Donating unwanted items to schools, charities, or community groups supports CSR goals.

By asking the right questions and choosing the right partner, organisations can transform a relocation into a platform for positive change.

Q: Thank you, Greta. Where can businesses learn more?

Greta Read: Thank you! Whilst we’d obviously love clients to come directly to us contacting an organisation such as yourselves is a great place to start. YPO is an invaluable resource for navigating procurement options and finding the right solutions for your school or organisation – plus they’re quite fun to chat to!

Bishop’s Move’s 1199 framework is for the provision of a managed service for office moves, relocation, storage, furniture recycling and other types of associated services including but not limited to IT moves, IT asset disposal, confidential waste disposal for customers who do not require the fully managed removal services. You can view our framework page here.