The founder of a sustainability-focused social enterprise has been recognised in the New Year Honours List for his contribution to charity and environmental work.
Alan Cooper, founder of Waste to Wonder Worldwide, has been awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
He received official confirmation of the honour from the Cabinet Office in November.
Mr Cooper described the award as “a surprise, a thrill, and a moment to reflect on the journey so far.”
He has spent more than two decades working in ethical reuse and circular economy initiatives, with a particular focus on changing how surplus office furniture is viewed and used.
“At Waste to Wonder Worldwide, we turn office clearances into opportunities for change. By repurposing surplus furniture and equipment, we can reduce carbon emissions, eliminate waste, and support schools and charities in underserved communities worldwide.” Says the company’s website.
Waste to Wonder Worldwide began as a small operation redistributing redundant furniture but has since grown into an international organisation.
Under Mr Cooper’s leadership, the charity has donated more than £49m worth of furniture and equipment at fair market value.
It has supported more than 1,500 schools across 47 countries, including the UK. Typically, 80-100% of furniture and equipment they collect are then redistributed to schools and charities around the world,
The organisation also diverts thousands of tonnes of office furniture from landfill each year, delivering social and environmental benefits through reuse and education programmes. In one instance, over 539 tonnes of furniture were removed from Overbury’s office’s in the CITI tower in central London’s Canary Wharf district.
Reflecting on his work, Mr Cooper said: “Running a company brings with it many opportunities — to support customers, to embrace every skill and idea from colleagues, and to work alongside valued partners. But it also evokes an individual responsibility to do positive things further afield. ‘The world is your oyster,’ to coin a phrase.”
Looking ahead, he added: “As we look to 2026, companies and their employees will be able to sit down and plan how they can benefit others whom they may never meet — using their organisation as a catalyst to improve lives across the entire globe. Nil magnum nisi bonum: nothing is great except good.”
Waste to Wonder Worldwide specialises in ethical office clearance, sustainable relocations and circular economy programmes linked to education and community development.
Its best-known project, School in a Box, redirects surplus office furniture to schools with limited resources, reducing waste while supporting learning environments.
The Waste to Wonder Worldwide OBE recognition highlights the growing role of social enterprises in tackling environmental challenges while delivering global community impact.
