The world is reimagining how and where we work, collaborate and socialize. This may mean fewer offices, more open space or less furniture, but it doesn’t have to mean more landfill waste. This Earth Day, we are reaffirming our commitment to recycle, resell and donate surplus furniture and supplies to communities in need. By the end of 2021, we aim to divert at least 95 percent of office waste from landfills.

“Purpose drives everything we do at Cigna,” said Sanjiv Awasthi, Cigna’s vice president of global real estate. “Local donations can make a big difference not just in a single community — but toward overall global climate efforts. All of our actions add up to help reduce our environmental footprint.”

Cigna recently partnered with environmental firm Green Standards to provide office furnishings and supplies from a Minnesota worksite to local non-profits. One of those organizations was Bridging, a non-profit that provides donated furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness in to stable housing.

“The dignity of choice — being able to have pride in your home is one of the values that Bridging is built upon,” said Mark Wilkening, Bridging executive director. “We are so grateful to Cigna and Green Standards for this donation.”

“Like Green Standards, Cigna is committed to helping our environment and our communities,” said Green Standards President Trevor Langdon, “We’re honored to work together to find meaningful homes for their office furniture and supplies.”

In all, 100 percent of Cigna’s surplus inventory in Minnesota was kept out of landfills through this project.