Processes

We aim to make our manufacturing processes as efficient as possible, because efficiency reduces waste.

Specifically, we’re reducing:

Waste that goes to landfills – this has been one of our most successful areas. In the summer of 2005 alone, our bulk shipping initiative reduced the amount of corrugated cardboard used by 225,000 lbs. Read how you can help.

Energy used to produce product – by working cleaner and smarter we’ve cut our energy consumption.

Environmental impact on the part of our vendors – we work closely with those in the supply chain to make sure they’re doing their part to safeguard the environment when making goods from wood product, steel, and plastic.

Waste – last year, rather than sending 50,000 lbs. of plastic from chair shells and edge moldings that didn’t meet our quality standards to the landfill, we had the material recycled for use by another manufacturer.

Packaging – following our successful experience with reducing packaging, we’re working with our vendors to reduce the amount they use.

Meanwhile we’re increasing:

The recyclability of products – the majority of our chairs are composed of polypropylene plastics and chromed steel and are 99% recyclable (glides and/or casters make up the remaining 1%). Booktrucks are also 99% recyclable.

The use of recycled steel product in our products

The use of renewable resources in our products – by weight, our desktops are composed of a very high percentage of sustainable, renewable wood product.