Better World

Sustainability

Stewardship of the environment has long been a core value for Herman Miller, but we are at a pivotal moment in the climate crisis. We believe in managing our resources responsibly to preserve Earth’s. Each measurable action adds up to the big changes we need.

Ocean-bound plastic

Our work with NextWave Plastics is helping create a global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains.

Turn the tide

Our stories

Our legacy

Our founder D.J. De Pree said in 1953, “We will be a good corporate neighbor by being a good steward of the environment.” Throughout the years, we have established several goals to continue this legacy. And little by little, we’ve met them.

Twelve people are standing together on a beach holding trash bags that appear full with trash collected from the surrounding beach area.Twelve people are standing together on a beach holding trash bags that appear full with trash collected from the surrounding beach area.

1991

US Green Building Council

Founding member, US Green Building Council

1993

Zero-waste-to-landfill

Established goal of zero-waste-to-landfill

Tropical rosewood

Eliminated the use of tropical rosewood in Eames Lounge Chairs and Ottomans

Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Herman Miller Greenhouse located in Holland Michigan

1995

GreenHouse opens

Opened GreenHouse operations center as a LEED Pioneer Building, where we quickly brought in honey bees to tackle our wasp problem

2001

Design for Environment

Formed our DfE (Design for Environment) team

2004

Cradle to Cradle

Earned Cradle to Cradle certification for Mirra Chair, assessed on our environmental and social performance

A close up view of a person holding the bottom, underside, section of an office chair and using a drill to secure parts during assembly.

2009

rePurpose program

Launched rePurpose, giving new life to used products and diverting up to 98% of product from landfills

2010

100% renewable electricity

Achieved 100% renewable electricity through combination of green energy purchase and RECs (Renewable Energy Certificate)

2016

Ecomedes

Launched environmental product calculator, Ecomedes

BREEAM “Very Good” certification

Portal Mill facility achieves BREEAM “Very Good” certification

A beach is littered with plastic trash.

Photo courtesy of OceanCycle.

A man sorting plastic bottles in a warehouse.

Photo courtesy of OceanCycle.

Ocean-Bound Plastic, Tu Storage Utility Tray and Plastic Pieces

2018

NextWave Plastics

Became a founding member of NextWave Plastics, a consortium working to develop the first global network of ocean-bound plastic supply chains

2019

No more plastic water bottles

Eliminated plastic water bottles at all facilities

AFRDI Green Tick certification

Herman Miller products achieve AFRDI Green Tick certification for ethical and sustainable furniture design and manufacturing

Cradle to Cradle, European edition

Cradle to Cradle certification is extended to Herman Miller’s European products

2020

Top CSR rating

Named among top 1% of companies in EcoVadis CSR rating

2021

European Declare Label

Ratio Desk received first European Declare Label, a product transparency disclosure that identifies where a product comes from, what it’s made of, and where it goes at the end of its life

100% recycled content textile collection

Launched Revenio, a 100% recycled content textile collection with a biodegradable polyester

Ocean-bound plastic

Launched ocean-bound plastic product campaign, updating Aeron Chair, Sayl Chair, Tu Storage, OE1 Collection, and Revenio textile collection to include ocean-bound plastic