Tips for Your Agency > Office

Furniture
Whether you are buying or discarding furniture, follow these tips to minimize waste and save money.

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When purchasing furniture:

• Make sure to buy durable, long-lasting, classic items that will not damage easily if your office relocates, and will remain in style over time.

• Consider leasing furniture so that the manufacturer or retailer is responsible for reuse, recycling, or disposal at the end of the lease.

• Ask suppliers about used or remanufactured furniture; prices for quality, remanufactured furniture typically range from 30 to 50 percent less than new furniture.

• Contact the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), Office of Surplus Activities (OSA) at (212) 669-8550 to obtain surplus items relinquished by other City Agencies.

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When discarding furniture:

• Contact the DCAS Office of Surplus Activities (212-669-8550) to donate usable items for reuse by other City Agencies.

• Donate usable furniture to charitable organizations. Before donating items, City Agencies must follow procedures for relinquishment of City property.

• Recycle damaged metal furniture. Large items that are at least 50 percent metal are required to be recycled in NYC.

• If wooden furniture is too damaged for repair or refurbishing, recycle it by contacting a wood broker to determine if it can be used as scrap wood for mulch, fuel, or other uses. NY WasteMatch, a materials broker in New York, can help your Agency find a local recycler.  Tips For Your Agency

Choosing Dorm Room Computer Desks

Students need a quiet place where they can study and focus. A good computer desk can give you that space, as well as storage for your computer, software and school supplies. A student's needs are a bit different than those of a person looking for a home office computer desk, however. Here are some features to focus on when looking for a computer workstation for your dorm room.

Choosing a Computer Desk:

1. Eye-level monitor stands: Those long hours sitting in front of your computer screen can put a strain on your neck and shoulders if the monitor is in the wrong position. Look for computer desks with raised monitor platforms or add a monitor stand to lift the screen into an elevated position above the computer desk surface.
   
2. Elevating computer-tower stand: Letting your desktop computer tower rest on the floor will let a lot of dust accumulate in the case, creating component-damaging heat build-up. You can extend the life and performance of your computer by choosing a computer desk with a built-in computer tower stand that lifts the tower off of the floor. Be sure that the stand provides plenty of ventilation for fans that cool your computer.
   
3. Computer desks for compact spaces: Dorm rooms aren't known for large open spaces. Make the most of the room you have with a more compact computer desk. A corner computer desk could be perfect for using your space efficiently. If you need something even smaller, you might consider a computer table or mobile computer workstation that you can roll away when it's not in use.
   
4. Additional storage: A good computer desk can really help you get your school supplies, textbooks and electronics organized. Look for a computer workstation with multiple shelves, cabinets and room for media storage.
   
5. Keyboard and mouse trays: Your keyboard and mouse can take up desk space that can be used for other things, and the desktop may not be the most ergonomic position for you to type on. A computer desk with an adjustable keyboard tray and mouse platform will let you customize the position of your keyboard and mouse to fit you.Choosing Dorm Room Computers Desks