Supporting communities in a responsible manner: an initiative based on circular economy practices to revitalize schools and support disadvantaged communities

At a time when sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the concept of circular economy is gaining ground. The circular economy promotes the reuse, reconditioning and recycling of products to minimize waste and make the most of available resources. Any company or individual can consider donating items, whether furniture or electronic equipment, when they decide to exchange them for various reasons.

At SG GSC we embrace sustainable practices by applying circular economy concepts in many aspects of our business. One of this is the donation of office furniture to NGOs who use it to equip rural schools. This initiative complements the support already offered for many years to partner NGOs through financial support and volunteer activities.

Every year, millions of tons of furniture end up in landfills, contributing to the global waste crisis. At the same time, schools in disadvantaged areas often lack the necessary resources to provide students with an adequate learning environment. Many classrooms are outdated with damaged furniture, which prevents students from concentrating and learning effectively. The combination of these problems – waste and inequality – calls for innovative solutions that address both environmental and social challenges.  

Starting with 2023, we donated over 2,700 pieces of furniture to 3 organizations: Aura Ion, Asociația EM.ro and Asociația Ai voința, Ai putore, thus contributing to the transformation of the classrooms into a happier, more motivational and a more creative environment. At the same time, having a significant contribution to reducing the dropout rate in disadvantaged areas.

Kitchens, lounge areas, classrooms, and other important spaces in 27 schools are now fully furnished and ready to be used by many children on their educational journey. This project not only supports environmental sustainability, but also addresses social inequalities by improving educational environments for those most in need. Studies show that well-designed, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing classrooms can boost student morale, increase class attendance, and even improve academic performance.

The impact our project had in reducing CO2 emissions was 138,000/kg of CO2 reduced/year.

« Our commitment to circular economy extends beyond sustainable practices – it’s about creating sustainable value for our communities. Through volunteer initiatives, through financial support, but also through furniture donations to schools in disadvantaged areas, we aim to empower the next generation, while reducing waste at the same time.

Together, we are not only building better learning environments, but we are also building a better future », says Philippe Gabulon, CEO of SG GSC.

And that’s not all, this year, in order to contribute to improving the lives of children and people from vulnerable communities, we supported educational, inclusion or environmental projects carried out by 14 NGOs. Alongside which, apart from the financial support offered, we were actively involved, together with over 900 colleagues, for over 2,700 hours, in over 170 volunteering activities.

We would like to congratulate everyone involved in these projects. We are happy that together we succeed not only in fulfilling our long-term ESG mission, but in making significant changes with a positive impact on both the planet and the social environment.