Humanscale Highlights Progress Toward Circular Economy in 2023 CSR Report

Furniture World News Desk on 11/20/2024

Humanscale, a designer and manufacturer of ergonomic products, has released its 2023 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, detailing progress toward a circular business model and sustainability goals. The report outlines key achievements in healthy materials, circularity, climate and energy, water conservation, and social responsibility.

Led by CEO Bob King and Chief Sustainability Officer Jane Abernethy, Humanscale continues to focus on measurable progress in climate, water, energy, and product circularity. Notably, 70% of its products by revenue are now certified climate-positive under the Living Product Challenge.

“In 2023, Humanscaleʼs aim remained bigger than ourselves as we set out to lead and catalyze our entire industry toward greater sustainability,” said Abernethy. “Our success, as always, was grounded in concrete actions rather than carefully worded promises.”

Key Milestones in Sustainability
Humanscale has pioneered sustainability initiatives, achieving several firsts in the industry:

• 2017: First to manufacture with fishing nets
• 2018: First to remove Red List chemicals
• 2019: First to systematically publish Declare labels
• 2021: First to use onsite captured rainwater for all production
• 2022: First to have all factories TRUE Zero Waste certified
• 2023: First to have products carbon negative certified

Highlights from the 2023 CSR Report

• Healthy Materials: Humanscale reached 95% of its goal to eliminate added antimicrobials from products, with full removal expected by 2024. The company is working with suppliers to create antimicrobial-free textiles.

• Circularity: Recent efforts include testing resale and refurbishment programs for second-life chairs, reducing packaging waste, and improving waste diversion.

  • Second-Life Pilot: Refurbished Liberty chairs were piloted with a London partner, reducing embodied carbon.
  • Packaging Reduction: A pilot program was launched to refurbish used Freedom Task chairs, preventing waste.
  • Waste Diversion: Achieved 92% diversion in half of its factories, with one reaching 97%. The global average was 87%.
    
    

• Climate + Energy: Energy-saving initiatives such as new air compressors, HVAC fans, and LED lighting reduced energy use by 585 MWh. Scope 1 and 2 emissions were cut by over 35 tons of CO2e, exceeding targets.

• Water Conservation: A new water reuse system for powder coating reduced water use by 32%, surpassing the initial goal of 25%.

• Social Responsibility: Employees participated in environmental cleanups, and the company integrated ocean plastic into Freedom chair bases, with plans to expand recycled material use in future designs.

“At Humanscale, we focus on meaningful change, and weʼre applying that same approach to circularity,” Abernethy said.

The CSR report also highlights Humanscale’s “Handprints” initiative, which measures positive impacts through Life Cycle Analysis, ensuring that beneficial handprints exceed negative footprints.

For the full 2023 CSR Report, see HERE.

About Humanscale
Humanscale is the global leader in high-performance ergonomic products that improve the health and comfort of work life. From chairs to height-adjustable desks to lighting and computer support products, Humanscale transforms office necessities into minimally elegant ergonomic solutions that encourage movement wherever work happens. As a certified B Corporation, Humanscale is recognized for its planet-positive manufacturing and industry leadership in environmental stewardship. With 29 products certified climate-positive by the International Living Future Institute, Humanscale is committed to making a planet-positive impact on the earth and our customers.

For more information, visit www.humanscale.com.