Founder D.J. DePree declared in the early 1950's that Herman Miller would be a good steward of the environment. Fifty years later the company continues working to lessen its impact on the environment while driving toward a completely sustainable enterprise by the year 2020.
A central company value and primary goal of the company's sustainability efforts is to "create a better world." This emphasis on sustainability, whether in materials choices during product design, in manufacturing techniques, in recycling initiatives, or in its building projects, remains central to the company's focus--evidenced again in 2006.
Herman Miller Recognition in 2005-2006- Selected as the only company within its industry for the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index, an international stock portfolio that evaluates corporate performance using economic, environmental, and social criteria, known as the "triple bottom line" of sustainability.
- All West Michigan manufacturing facilities are now recognized as Clean Corporate Citizens by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ). The C3 program rewards Michigan firms that consistently demonstrate environmental stewardship and pollution prevention.
- Honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its WasteWise Award. The company also earned recognition from the EPA for its commitment to build or renovate its facilities--leased or owned--to meet at least a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver certification.
- The Sustainable Leadership Award for exemplary practices and commitment to achieving, by the year 2020, its Perfect Vision plan for a completely sustainable business. The award was presented by the International Interior Design Association and the American Institute of Architects' Committees on the Environment and Interior Architecture, in partnership with CoreNet Global.
Building Recognition- The company has a total of nine LEED-certified buildings. Three buildings received Commercial Interiors certification this year: the Dallas National Design Center (NDC) (Silver), the Toronto NDC (Certified), and the New York NDC (Gold).
- The VillageGreen facility in Chippenham, England, received the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) Excellent status--the European equivalent of LEED certification.
Product Certifications- The Celle and Mirra chairs received McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry (MBDC) Cradle to Cradle Gold certification; in addition, the Caper chair obtained Silver certification. Cradle to Cradle certification recognizes significant, tangible progress in designing environmentally sustaining products.
- The My Studio Environments, Vivo Interiors, Leaf light, and Foray work chair received Greenguard certification from the Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI).
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