General Motors will give tens of thousands of pieces of its used furniture, worth $1 million, to about 100 Michigan-based community organizations including Detroit's Cody High School. The donations will keep the items from ending up in landfills.
Furniture, equipment and supplies are coming from the GM’s Technical Center in Warren, the Proving Ground in Milford and global headquarters in Detroit, which are undergoing renovations, a press release said. GM will also reallocate some assets to other company locations.
The distribution of furniture and equipment is being done through the Herman Miller rePurpose Program, which is managed by environmental firm Green Standards, described in the press release as an industry-leading solution for managing surplus corporate assets through a combination of resale, recycling and donation, GM says.
“We view waste as just a resource out of place,” David Tulauskas, GM sustainability director, says in a statement. “This reuse program enables us to reduce our environmental footprint while making a positive contribution to our community.”
Besides giving materials to Cody on the far west side, volunteers from GM, Herman Miller and Green Standards will undertake a three-room makeover at the school, which will include painting, drywall repair and floor refinishing, among other projects. The rooms are scheduled to be completed next spring.
