Furniture Industry

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Haworth

Products: Modular furniture systems; moveable walls; raised access flooring; seating; storage and filing cabinets; executive casegoods; freestanding tables and desks
Unique Programs:
Haworth expects to have all factory sites certified ISO 14001 by the end of 2009.
Haworth employs Design for Environment strategies for new product development that focus on using cleaner materials and chemicals, and designing for disassembly and the recyclability of materials.
Haworth's adaptable workspace solutions are designed to be moved and re-used, extending the useful life of the product.
Their moveable wall and raised access floor products are pre-manufactured so they reduce installation time and on-site construction waste, dust, emissions and debris.
All Haworth major furniture products are Greenguard(r) certified as low emitting for formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds(VOCs). They are working on eliminating formaldehyde and decreasing the use of HAP’s (Hazardous Air Pollutants) and VOC’s in their products.
The company has engaged in local green space preservation.
Haworth operates material recovery and recycling centers at locations worldwide. The center in Holland, Michigan has recycled over 120,000 tons of waste in the last decade.
All new or updated Haworth facilities worldwide will be constructed or renovated using green building strategies and, where possible, certified by third party programs such as the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System (r).
The Haworth Chicago showroom was selected for the pilot program that established guidelines for the LEED Commercial Interiors initiative. It was certified at the LEED gold level in 2005. It is the first showroom space in the Merchandise Mart to be LEED certified.
In Ludington, MI, Haworth piloted a phosphate-free procedure for the metal painting wash line which, in addition to reducing the emissions of phosphate, also saves water and lowers the cost of heating. Additionally, the process water is reused. Due to its success, the method was implemented at plants in Allegan, MI and Shanghai, China.
Haworth’s ZodyTM chair achieved gold-level Cradle to Cradle certification for being designed for disassembly, labeling parts with information on how to recycle, and including a take-back program for the product. 51% of ZodyTM chairs are made from previously used materials and 98% of the materials can be recycled into new chairs.
Unlike other chairs, ZodyTM contains no chrome, PVC, or CFCs.
Customers may choose from a variety of fabrics designed with sustainability in mind: Pendleton® compost-able wool flannel, Victor Innovatex Eco Intelligent® polyesters which are continuously recyclable and contain no antimony, and Interface Terratex® fabric which is made completely from recycled fibers.
Haworth is involved with the Corporate Consortium to Evaluate and Enhance Well-Being at Work.
At Haworth headquarters, employees have available to them a wellness center with educational opportunities and fitness equipment, and a medical center offering work-related health services.
Haworth’s Douglas, MI facility introduced a counter-current flow process which eliminated 26,500 liters of unnecessary water usage.
All electricity for Haworth’s showroom in Chicago is wind powered.
Haworth’s patrons are invited to share in the company’s American WindTM Power purchasing contract.
The company opened a new headquarters in 2008 featuring a 45,000 sq ft green roof and a 35,000-square-foot glass atrium. The building is LEED® certified at the gold level.
Many of these features are already in effect at the LEED® gold Los Angeles showroom. The under-floor air conditioning system provides higher quality air than a conventional system. The system is used with TecCrete® Access Flooring and needs only 20% of the ductwork required for conventional air conditioning. The flooring features "individual swirl diffusers" which enable employees to adjust the temperature of their personal work area. In addition, the flooring is completely reuseable.

Herman Miller

Products: Furniture; filing cabinets; workstations
Unique Programs:
Herman Miller hopes to eliminate all hazardous waste and achieve their goal of zero landfill by 2020.
The triple top line of sustainability can be seen in the company’s vision statement as early as the 1950’s.
50% of the land on Herman Miller corporate sites is designated as "green space" for preservation.
The company has a total of 400 employees working directly or indirectly on environmental initiatives.
In 1993, Herman Miller helped organize the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) and built the pioneer green building that helped establish the base-line for the LEED system.
Herman Miller has set the LEED silver ranking as a minimum criterion for new construction projects and renovations.
Herman Miller established a Design for the Environment (DfE) team to develop "environmentally sensitive design standards" for new product development and existing products. The DfE team was established in 1999, the first in its industry. This team considers the chemicals used in the manufacturing process, the ease of disassembly of the product for the take-back program, and the recyclability of the materials.
Herman Miller engineered a table-top light that eliminates the need for excess energy consumption and materials. The company is calling it the "Leaf Light".
The company has a supplier diversity program to increase the number of minority and women owned suppliers used by Herman Miller.
In 2003, Herman Miller introduced the Mirra Chair, with the ability to truly recycle 99% of its components. The Mirra Chair has the added benefits of being PVC-free and the ability to be disassembled in 5 minutes using simple tools.
In 2005, the Cerra chair was introduced that is also 99% recyclable and PVC-free, with easy disassembly.
A long list of benefits are offered to both full-time and part-time employees, including health, dental, holiday and vacation pay, EVA bonuses, and many others. Also, all full-time employees with one or more years of service are made shareholders of the company.
Since 1950, the company has had a universal bonus system, enabling all employees to share in the success of the business.
A large amount of the packaging used by Herman Miller is returned and reused by the company.
Herman Miller is a large purchaser of "green" energy in Michigan.
In 1989, Herman Miller’s Environmental Quality Action Team (EQAT) was formed to establish company priorities and follow through by monitoring and measuring outcomes.
Holland, Michigan’s Herman Miller Greenhouse is the brainchild of William McDonough + Partners architectural firm.
Herman Miller will use McDonough Braungart Design Chemisty’s (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle design protocol to assess the "material chemistry, disassembly and recyclability as well as incoming packaging and potential waste generation" of all new products.
The Kira fabric utilized by Herman Miller matches the functional and value standards of traditionally used fabrics, but because it is made from corn, it is biodegradable and can be put back into the soil as nutrients when it is no longer useful as a fabric.
By using Formcoat, a powder-coated epoxy, Herman Miller has been able to achieve a sturdy and even surface coating for its furniture without VOCs. The method also makes it less complicated to disassemble the product for reuse.
While originally intended to reduce VOCs, switching to water-based stains has given Herman Miller products the added benefit of more uniform coloring.
Herman Miller has been purchasing only sustainably-harvested wood since 1991.
The technique of autodeposition used to finish metals applies a coating by using energy from chemical reactions instead of electricity. The coating is free of heavy metals, and the process is low-VOC, less energy-intensive, and produces minimal waste.

HNI Corporation

Products: Furniture; filing cabinets; fireplaces
Unique Programs:
As early as 1947, HNI manufactured card files from pieces of scrap metal generated from its contract businesses.
They use cellular manufacturing techniques, aiding in the elimination of dangerous solvents and the reduction of waste.
All of HNI employees with over a year of employment have the benefit of stock ownership and profit sharing.

Knú

Products: Desks; Bookcases; Entertainment centers; Lateral files; Tables; Chairs
Unique Programs:
As a member of the Sustainable Future Council, Knú is working to create a company that re-thinks the way things work, from the ground up.
Knú has teamed up with Carbonfund.org to offset all carbon emitting forms of energy. All electricity, natural gas, air travel and vehicle use is offset using Green-e certified renewable energy certificates.
The newest plant addition (completed in 2007) uses F-Bay fluorescent lighting, which save on energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Infra-red heaters are used to save on energy in the winter season, which is approximately 75% more efficient than conventional forced air heating methods. Heat is also circulated by an energy efficient air compression systems, further lowering Knú's energy consumption and costs.
Knú supports resource preservation by choosing to market their products on their website and not printing direct mail catalogs. Direct mail deforests 100 million trees per year and Knú is proud to know that they are not contributing to this.
Ninety percent of Knú's raw materials are obtained within a 50 mile radius. Furthermore, hardware is custom manufactured from 40% recycled steel.
There are no contact adhesives used in the manufacturing of Knú products. Instead, PVA adhesives, containing zero volatile organic compounds (VOC), are used.

South Cone Trading Company

Products: Furniture; home decor
Unique Programs:
The company has set a goal for all of its products to bear the Forest Stewardship Council Seal of approval by 2007. Currently 30% of products are FSC approved. This mark ensures that products come from forests where biodiversity preservation and community and worker support programs are in effect.
South Cone made the decision to discontinue the use of the endangered wood species mahogany and ironwood, and to find un-endangered substitutes. Desired functionality and product aesthetics are maintained by using woods such as sauco and cedar.
South Cone’s owner started a nonprofit called PaTS (Partnerships and Technology for Sustainability). Through their Conservation Makes Cents project, the organization provides training and financing to the Yanesha people of Peru for the design and manufacture of furniture to be sold in the U.S. under the South Cone name.
The South Cone factory in Peru became SmartWood certified in 2000 and in the U.S. factory in 2001.
South Cone has partnered with a not-for-profit organization in Peru called Pro Naturaleza to promote folk handicraft and the development of small businesses, ecotourism, and the sustainable harvest of forest resources.

Steelcase

Products: Systems solutions; seating; architectural solutions; desks/suites; storage; technology; surface materials; lighting; laboratory solutions; tables; and worktools
Unique Programs:
A quote from Steelcase: "We design for disassembly because products that can be easily taken apart are more likely to be recycled."
Steelcase continues to build on a legacy of environmental responsibility dating back to its founding in 1912. In June, 2005, the company announced it will eliminate PVC from its product lines by 2012 – its 100th anniversary.
The company’s "Design for the Environment" program aims to produce products with a long-life, high recycled content, sustainably harvested wood products, no waste generation, and no harmful chemicals.
In 1993, Steelcase was the first in the industry to work with McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC), one of the world’s leading process and design firms, to analyze materials against 19 human and environmental health criteria. Steelcase currently has a global relationship with MBDC to investigate – at a molecular level — the chemistry of their products and their impact on human and environmental health.
Steelcase’s Environmental Partnership aids Steelcase customers in discovering end-of life destinations for their products outside of the landfill. The partnership is a network of resources which provide the options of refurbishing, donating, reselling, or recycling their worn-out products.
They are a founding member of the U.S. EPA Green Power Partnership. According to the EPA, Steelcase is one of the largest Green Power Partnership purchasers in Michigan.
Steelcase has achieved ISO 14001 registration for 8 of its manufacturing operations and is targeting 2008 to complete all plant registrations globally.
Steelcase is VOC-free in its metal finishing operations.
Steelcase built the first LEED certified manufacturing facility (a wood furniture plant) in 2001.
26% of West Michigan’s Steelcase operations’ energy will now come from a wind-power source in Oceana County.
At Steelcase’s Corporate Development Center, a solar panel system is being planned for installation.
Leading Steelcase brand products are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®
99% of the materials in the Please chair can be disassembled and recycled. The chair contains no PVC and since being introduced in 1998, it has managed a 16% environmental performance improvement. The company’s Think Chair is 99% recyclable and can be disassembled in 5 minutes with ordinary tools. Steelcase also offers the Leap Chair, which is 98% recyclable.
Pathways® Privacy Wall—30% recycled materials. 100% reusable. And fiberglass-, PVC- and VOC-free.
Comfort and the effects of one’s surroundings are seriously considered by the research teams and product developers. Steelcase follows a "holistic approach to office ergonomics" by studying human posture and movement, workplace emotions experienced, and the physical atmosphere of the workplace.
When a customer purchases Steelcase products, they are presented with various shipping options such as wrapping with blankets and using reusable containers.
Designtex, a subsidiary of Steelcase, designed a fabric that has a manufacturing process with negligible negative environmental impacts. Designtex uses rapidly renewable ramie and wool in the William McDonough Collection of biodegradable fabric.
Workstage, a Steelcase joint venture, created one of the first commercial buildings in the nation to generate energy from an on-site fuel cell.
The company has a supplier diversity program to increase the number of minority, women, and veteran-owned suppliers used by Steelcase.
Steelcase is committed to independent social accountability audits of suppliers around the world, as appropriate.
Steelcase sponsors and engages in 21 environmentally-oriented volunteer programs— from highway clean-up to recycling.
The company established the "Steelcase Foundation" in 1951 to offer grants to nonprofit organizations and community programs and has given $7 million since its founding. The foundation matches up to $10,000 a year of employee contributions to educational and community organizations.
2005’s Green by Design Sustainability Symposium and other educational events with international participation are created and funded by Steelcase.
The company takes part in the Habitats at the Workplace program offered by the National Wildlife Federation.
Steelcase participates in efforts of international groups such as China-US Center for Sustainable Development to collaborate on collective goals and promote sustainability throughout the world.
As a liaison to the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Steelcase made the necessary contacts with Nike to bring its Reuse-a-Shoe (now called Places) program to the West Michigan area.
The Build-a-Birdhouse Program was an employee initiative to reverse the declining of the bird population residing in Steelcase’s 125-acre protected prairie land. The project was paid for through a printer cartridge recycling program.
Steelcase granted $500,000 to Kent County’s Millennium Park, a green space that was once a manufacturing site and is now a recreational area open to the public. They also gave $500,000 to the Nature Conservancy for the purpose of purchasing land in Michigan which will be preserved and protected.

Wilkhahn

Products: Seating; furniture systems; table systems; multi-media furniture
Unique Programs:
Since 1992, Wilkhahn has not used Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in any new products. However, they have not yet found a suitable substitute for PVC in older product lines.
The company has been working on decreasing the use of solvent-based upholstery adhesives, by using point-gluing and other technologies.
Wilkhahn has decreased paper use substantially by using reusable packaging for some products, decreasing the size of product brochures, and increasing the use of e-mail internally. They are also increasing the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified sources for printed documents.
A modern powder coating system is used by Wilkhahn, keeping process water in a closed loop and recovering residual powder readily.
Many buildings have been built along ecological design principles, with features like photovoltaic systems whereby silica was directly applied to the glass roof.
The Picto office chair made by Wilkhahn was the first to be designed so that it could be fully recycled at the end of its useful life, and its parts are coded to allow ease of disassembly.
Wilkhahn guarantees customers that it will take back all products belonging to their Picto, FS-Line, and Modus lines. The company disassembles these worn-out products back into basic materials that are re-used in the manufacture of new furniture.
The design approach utilized by Wilkhahn centers on simplicity, with the rationale that a serene atmosphere maximizes worker productivity and minimizes discomfort and stress. The design intention to build office furniture which creates "a people-oriented work environment."
Another element that Wilkhahn includes in its designs, especially in the DinA product line, is capacity for change and adaptability. The furnishings may be rearranged in various ways to adapt to the changing needs of the user.
Vending machines dispensing coffee at Wilkhahn were also dispensing about 250,000 disposable plastic cups per year. Thanks to an employee-driven initiative, the machines were rigged to no longer dispense cups, and instead everyone brings their own cup to insert into the machine.

Useful terms to be familiar with:

LEED criteria—Stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental design; the criteria involves the areas of planning/design, materials, and construction and can also be applied to the renovation of existing buildings.

ISO 14001— ISO, or the International Organization for Standardization, is located in Geneva, Switzerland. The goal of the organization is to encourage development and implementations of voluntary international environmental management standards for businesses. According to ISO’s website, the ISO 14000 family is primarily concerned with "environmental management". The organization is working to:
- Minimize harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities
- Achieve continual improvement of its environmental performance
Ergonomics—
- 1: An applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely -- called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors
- 2: The design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics
- Source: "ergonomics." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2006.

Funded by the Steelcase Foundation of Grand Rapids, Michigan
Header photo courtesy of Bigfoto
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