Yes, your cubicle has an after-life

— into a much larger operation, with a continent-wide network of charitable organizations, resellers and recyclers.

“We saw that this kernel of a grassroots idea could really operate at scale and fit with large-scale organizations,” Beaumont said.

Since then, Green Standards has partnered with Telus Corp., Enbridge Inc. and Adobe Systems Inc. to divert nearly 28,000 tons of material from landfill and generate over $18 million of in-kind donations to charities and non-profits in Canada and the United States. Revenue has risen nearly 500 per cent in five years.

Last month, Green Standards announced a partnership with General Motors Co., one of its biggest clients yet.

Over the next two years, GM will undertake a major renovation and redesign of its global headquarters in Detroit, its Technical Center in Warren, Mich., and its Proving Ground in Milford, Mich., a project that will affect approximately 21,000 employees.

Working with Green Standards and furnituremaker Herman Miller Inc., GM estimates it will divert more than 2,000 tons of material from landfills and will donate $1 million worth of furniture and equipment to dozens of Michigan-based community organizations, including a high school and an urban farm in Detroit.

Green Standards’ services can cost more than a junkremoval company’s, but for a business that’s trying to burnish its reputation for corporate social responsibility, it’s worth it.

“It certainly is something that takes more time and more money, but it doesn’t take that much more time and that much more money,” said Candice Messing, manager of facilities projects at GM.

“When given the choice, we would absolutely choose to do the most good with the products.”

Green Standards charges a program management fee that Beaumont said is comparable to the tipping fees charged by landfills.

Revenue that’s generated from resale or recycling goes back to the customer to offset their costs.

The company also offers “detailed and transparent reporting” about where a customer’s furniture, equipment and office supplies end up, including a list of the charities and non-profit groups that benefitted.

“It’s the most impressive representation that I’ve seen,” Messing said, “and certainly something that we were excited to be able to share internally and externally.”

Green Standards now has 24 full-time employees plus a large network of subcontractors across North America.

Growth will moderate as the company matures, but Beaumont is optimistic that customers like GM will attract more big clients to Green Standards.

“We’re really looking at something in its infancy,” he said.

“What we’re seeing now is the early adopters, the organizations that are trendsetters. They’re leading the way.” Last month, Green Standards announced a partnership with General Motors Co., one of its biggest clients yet.