Interviewed by Kathryn Soter | GFDA Executive Director
In our latest interview, she shares how Market Resolution evolved from fashion surplus to hospitality reuse and why doing good should never be an afterthought. Read on to learn how you can green up your hospitality projects through the GFDA’s new partnership!
Who is Sharni R. Gaskins and what brought you to the realm of sustainability?
Growing up in rural Australia, in a small town of just 3,500 people, surrounded by farmland, vineyards, trees, and clean spring water made caring for the earth feel second nature. Everyone knew each other in my hometown and helping your neighbor was simply a way of life. From a young age, I felt a deep sense of empathy. That compassion came largely from my Nan, who taught me that “everyone in your life is a choice except yourself—so if you’re not right within, you’ll project that onto others”. Those lessons shaped not just how I care for people, but also my approach to the planet—living mindfully, with purpose, and with respect for everything around me.
I had a deep desire to start a company that gave back and made a meaningful impact in the world. That drive to create positive change naturally led me into the realm of sustainability.
How’d you find your way to California?
I knew that to truly pursue my vision and make the kind of impact I dreamed of, I needed to be somewhere that offered greater opportunities and is better aligned with my purpose. I was always drawn to California—it captured my imagination through the TV shows I watched as a child and it felt like the place where change could happen. I’ve called it home for the past 22 years, and it’s where I feel like I truly belong.
How did Market Resolution start and how has the work evolved over the years?
Market Resolution originally began by upcycling excess designer apparel, footwear, and accessories. I saw firsthand the overwhelming surplus from OEMs, brands, and distributors—along with a concerning lack of care for where that inventory ended up. There was little to no brand protection, and sustainability wasn’t even on the radar yet which is what initially inspired our business model.
The hotel liquidation side of our business launched in 2019 after a chance meeting with a former Mayor of Las Vegas who serves on the board of Caesars Entertainment. Within 48 hours, we developed a sustainable and charitable business model built on hospitality industry data showing just how much waste is generated during remodels. We were granted our first project—923 rooms at Harrah’s Las Vegas—as a pilot to divert items from landfill. The number of mattresses alone, which can take 80–100 years to decompose, was staggering. They would have stretched from the front of Caesars Palace to the front of the Wynn Casino—on both sides of the Strip. That visual alone helped the board grasp the scale and impact of our program.
Since then, we’ve successfully diverted over 17 million products from landfills, tracking the carbon footprint of each transaction as far back as 2008—well before sustainability became a business priority. Our COO, Cyndie Salcido, and I have always been passionate about philanthropy, which led us to structure the company as a corporate sponsor for Ronald McDonald House Charities and Variety – the Children’s Charity donating proceeds from every sale. My former, late father figure and mentor, Robin Leach summed it up perfectly “Philanthropy, as with anything you do well in life, has to be done with passion“
As we got deeper into this work, we realized the opportunity was much bigger than we originally anticipated. We then began partnering with hundreds of charities across multiple states to ensure that the furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) we recovered could serve a second life supporting communities in need- we worked directly with FEMA during the pandemic to expand our reach. By personally delivering and unloading every item at each charity, we could confirm the items reached their intended recipients and enabled us to track the environmental impact of each delivery helping us make a tangible difference—for both people and the planet.
How do you separate yourself from typical salvage or deconstruction operations?
The level of care, precision, and accountability we bring to each project is what sets us apart—and why our clients continue to trust and return to us. Unlike standard liquidation or salvage services, our process is highly customized and hands-on. Each project involves meticulous planning—identi fying appropriate charities, coordinating logistics, managing deliveries, and compiling comprehensive post-project presentations, no matter the size of the job. We rigorously vet every organization we donate to, and we track each item to ensure it reaches its intended destination.
We provide detailed documentation for every project, including photos of the donations, thank-you letters from recipient organizations, and often full video reels that capture the journey from start to finish. This transparency allows our clients to see the tangible difference their participation makes.
co-founders of Market Resolution
What partnerships have been most transformative for scaling sustainable impact and what future partnerships would be most helpful for advancing the work you do?
We truly believe that every hotel brand could benefit from integrating our customized program—it’s consistently proven to be effective and impactful. One of the most transformative partnerships we’ve had to date is with Travel + Leisure. We’ve worked closely with their project managers across multiple states, completing several large-scale projects each year. Through this collaboration alone, we’ve successfully diverted over 5 million pounds of FF&E from landfills—contributing significantly to our collective total of more than 15 million pounds across all clients to date.
Looking ahead, expanding partnerships with more hotel groups, property management companies, and sustainability-focused organizations would be incredibly valuable. The more aligned partners we work with, the greater the environmental and social impact we can achieve together.
Where is the FF&E liquidation/retail remodeling industry heading on sustainability—what trends or regulations are shaping the future?
In all honesty, the industry still feels significantly behind when it comes to sustainability in FF&E liquidation and remodeling. While most hospitality brands now have sustainability and diversity departments, their initiatives often focus on areas like plastic recycling, reducing linen usage during guest stays, or sustainably sourcing select FF&E items. But when it comes to large-scale remodels, sustainability is rarely prioritized in a meaningful way.
If sustainability practices are incorporated during remodels, they’re often minimal and not nearly at the scale that Market Resolution provides. Budget constraints or a lack of perceived urgency tend to be the biggest barriers. There’s still a long way to go in shifting mindsets toward understanding the true environmental impact of these projects—and the real opportunity for measurable change.
How do you envision Market Resolution’s role in advancing circular economy practices within hospitality and retail over the next 5 years?
It’s estimated that 40 billion pounds of hotel furniture and appliances end up in landfills every year—a staggering figure that is simply not sustainable. Market Resolution is uniquely positioned to help reverse that trend. If more brands recognized and adopted our model, we could significantly reduce that number through smart, circular solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Over the next five years, we aim to be a leading force in that shift—making large-scale sustainability not only accessible but standard practice in hospitality and retail remodels.
Any final advice for hoteliers, developers or operators you’d like to share, that would help them understand how sustainable practices can improve their bottom line or support ESG goals?
It’s very meaningful knowing that your project gave back—to people, to communities, and to the planet. What you choose to do today doesn’t just impact your bottom line—it shapes the future for your children, grandchildren, and generations to come. At the end of the day, it’s pretty simple: sustainable decisions now create lasting change later.
I wish more decision-makers understood, it’s the real scope of what thoughtful FF&E reuse can achieve—not just environmentally, but operationally and socially too. Often, it takes two or three vendors to do what we’ve built into a single streamlined process, and that matters when you’re juggling timelines, budgets, and impact goals.
Now for some fun. We like to get to know our subject’s design sensibility a little better. Indulge us for a few more questions!
My hope for the future of the hospitality industry:
That sustainability and corporate giveback programs become a standard, actionable part of every remodel—fully integrated into the operations of each brand’s sustainability department. Not just talked about in mission statements, but actively implemented through real, measurable efforts that reflect genuine commitment to people and the planet.
A vintage piece/item I own and love:
One of my treasured vintage items is a book titled Book of Gems, a collection of modern poets and artists from Great Britain, published in 1838. What makes it truly special is that each poet hand-signed their work in this edition. I found it at an estate sale in Australia when I was just 10 years old—my Nan gave me $5 to spend, and somehow, I chose this book. While its value has grown significantly over time, what I cherish most is the nostalgic memory of buying it with my Nan. That moment means far more to me than the book’s monetary worth.
When you’re not thinking about your business, how do you like to spend your time?
Honestly, my business is always on my mind—it’s a deep passion of mine. I’m constantly thinking about new ways to make a difference and grow as a business owner. For me, knowledge is power, and that passion fuels the impact I hope to keep expanding well into the future.
Thank you Sharni!
DESIGNERS: if you’re interested in how Market Resolution’s sustainable professional services might work for your next hospitality project, email Kathryn@thegfda.com for an initial capabilities presentation and project assessment meeting.
