AA – Sustainable Clearance & Relocation

The Automobile Association (AA) is the UK’s leading provider of roadside assistance, supporting our 14 million members with 2,700 patrols, attending an average of 9,000 breakdowns daily.

Having worked with the AA for over five years, we were able to respond quickly and sensitively to the client’s evolving needs. Our understanding of their estate, standards, and sustainability goals allowed us to design a solution that balanced efficiency, discretion, and environmental responsibility.

All furniture was carefully collated from across the offices and consolidated into a single secure first-floor location, providing the client with clarity and control over assets while future decisions were finalised.

Strategic Furniture Management
Once consolidated, we implemented a structured clearance strategy prioritising reuse, followed by donation and material recovery.
A total of 32 tonnes of furniture was donated to YMCA, including:
• Sofas and soft seating
• Lockers and cabinets
• Storage units
• Meeting room chairs
All donated items were assessed for condition and suitability, ensuring they could be reused immediately and deliver maximum community benefit.

Responsible Recycling
Furniture unsuitable for reuse was broken down into its constituent material streams, wood, metal, fabric, and plastics, and processed through licensed recycling partners.
• Total recycled materials: 80 tonnes
• Landfill diverted: 100%
This ensured that all remaining materials were responsibly recovered and reintroduced into the supply chain.

Nationwide Furniture Reuse
In addition to local consolidation and clearance, we coordinated the internal redistribution of reusable furniture across the AA’s national estate.
• 4 articulated vehicle loads of office furniture
• Delivered to multiple AA offices across the UK
This approach reduced the need for new furniture procurement and extended the life of existing assets.

Environmental Impact: Carbon Savings
By prioritising reuse, donation, and recycling, the project achieved significant carbon reductions by avoiding landfill and reducing demand for newly manufactured furniture.
Furniture Donated – 32 tonnes
Conservative reuse estimate: 0.6 tonnes CO₂e saved per tonne
→ ≈ 19.2 tonnes CO₂e saved
Furniture Reused Internally Across the AA Estate – approx. 40 tonnes
Conservative reuse estimate: 0.6 tonnes CO₂e saved per tonne
→ ≈ 24 tonnes CO₂e saved
Furniture Recycled – 80 tonnes
Conservative recycling estimate: 0.25 tonnes CO₂e saved per tonne
→ ≈ 20 tonnes CO₂e saved

Total Estimated Carbon Savings
≈ 63 Tonned CO2e avoided
What does this equate to?
🚗 Taking 13–14 cars off the road for a year
🌳 The annual carbon absorption of around 1,000 trees
🏠 The yearly carbon footprint of 7–8 UK households
🚘 Over 225,000 miles driven in an average petrol car

Social & Business Impact
The 32 tonnes of furniture donated to YMCA will continue to support community facilities and programmes, delivering:
• Cost savings for a charitable organisation
• Access to quality furniture
• Tangible social value beyond the project lifecycle

Supporting the Client
For the AA, the project delivered:
• Secure asset consolidation during a period of uncertainty
• A sustainable, zero-landfill outcome
• Reduced risk and disruption during organisational change
• Continued value from existing furniture through internal reuse

Key Achievements Summary
✓ Long-term trusted partnership (5+ years)
✓ Approx. 900-person operation supported during business change
✓ 250 employees successfully relocated within Basing View
✓ Approx. 900 desks consolidated into a single secure location
✓ 32 tonnes of furniture donated to YMCA
✓ 80 tonnes responsibly recycled
✓ 4 articulated loads reused across AA offices nationwide
✓ 100% landfill diversion
✓ Approx. 63 tonnes CO₂e avoided

“I first worked with Adrian Powell and the Active team during my time as Head of Workplace and Projects at ITV. We collaborated on a major project in Leeds to digitise and relocate our programme tape archive from various sites—a complex and sensitive move which they handled professionally.
More recently, I worked with them on The Automobile Association’s relocation from their headquarters, which they had occupied for over 40 years. This was a significant undertaking, involving not only the relocation of staff, IT, and FM equipment but also the complete clearance of a 7-acre site. Active visited the site, received a clear brief, and provided a competitive and cost-effective proposal.
Their team supported us for over a year on this project. They were professional, responsive, and proactive throughout. No request was too much trouble—they consistently found solutions to unexpected challenges and helped us remain on budget by reviewing scope and identifying efficiencies. It genuinely felt like they were an extension of our project team.
I would highly recommend Active to any prospective client.”
Donna Uden, Project Manager