Sustainability has become a central focus for businesses. More than 70% of C-suite leaders believe that investing in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives provides a competitive advantage for their organizations.
Companies serious about sustainability know their efforts need to go beyond simply reducing paper waste and recycling. Everything, from their building materials and lighting to landscaping and HVAC systems, presents opportunities to reduce their carbon footprints.
And that goes for their furnishings, too, both indoors and out.
Commercial furniture companies like Herman Miller by MillerKnoll and Sister Bay Furniture — a division of Prestwick Industries — exemplify this commitment by integrating sustainable practices into their products. If you’re considering new office furnishings or outdoor furniture and accessories, here’s why you should give each a look.
Few companies embody sustainable design as thoroughly and authentically as Herman Miller, a MillerKnoll company, known for pioneering eco-conscious innovation since 1953, long before it became mainstream. Stewardship of the environment is woven into the company’s mission and vision and is demonstrated through their “Better World” program, a purpose-driven initiative focused on designing for the good of humankind.
They’re the only furniture manufacturer listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. And MillerKnoll recently announced that beginning in May 2025, all North American products will be free of any added PFAS forever chemicals, making them the first office furniture manufacturer to make such a commitment.
Herman Miller's manufacturing process balances performance, people, and the planet. They’ve eliminated toxic adhesives and harmful substances from their products, opting instead for safer alternatives that are healthier for workers and better for recyclability. Their high-performance task chairs — like the Mirra 2, Embody, Aeron, Cosm, Caper, and Setu — are intentionally designed without foam and with recyclable components. The Mirra 2 was the first chair in the world designed to be 100% recyclable, setting a new standard for sustainable office furnishings.
Their dedication to thoughtful, strategic design even extends to packaging and logistics. Every shipment is optimized to reduce waste and carbon impact, using minimal packaging without compromising product protection, and reducing shipping trips whenever possible.
And it's not just about products. Sustainability is lived out daily at their Holland, Michigan, manufacturing plant. For example, when angry wasps were discovered on their property, rather than using pesticides, they brought in experts who recommended introducing a colony of honey bees that eventually drove out the wasps. Those honey bees now thrive on-site, pollinating wildflowers and contributing to the local ecosystem. And yes, even producing honey that’s bottled and shared as gifts for facility guests.
Herman Miller has the goal of using sustainable, 100% bio-based or recycled materials and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. They’ve also committed to being landfill-free by the same time. Their supply chain partners are also held to the same high standards when possible, to help ensure that every step of the process, from sourcing to shipping, is driven by a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.
RELATED RESOURCE: Guide to Ergonomic Office Furniture by Herman Miller
Source: Herman Miller
When it comes to sustainable outdoor furnishings and accessories, Sister Bay Furniture Company — a division of The Prestwick Companies — sets the bar high. Based in Wisconsin, the company not only manufactures stylish and durable products, but does so with a deeply rooted commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.
At the heart of Sister Bay’s process is an innovative material: HDPE recycled plastic. In fact, their outdoor accessories like waste bins, recycling stations, carts, and condiment stations, are made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic. Products can even display how many milk jugs it took to make (sometimes over 1,000). This transparency turns each piece into a small badge of environmental impact.
Sustainability is considered at every step. Nearly two-thirds of their raw materials are sourced within a 200-mile radius to minimize transportation emissions, and even the scrap materials from manufacturing are reused to create additional products. The result is a line of outdoor furnishings and accessories that not only stand up to all four seasons but also stand for something bigger — reducing landfill waste, supporting closed-loop recycling, and contributing to a healthier planet.
By reimagining waste into essential products for commercial outdoor environments, Sister Bay proves that good design and green practices can go hand in hand, beautifully.
RELATED ARTICLE: 5 Trends in Outdoor Furnishings for Commercial Spaces
Source: Sister Bay Furniture Co
As a business or community leader, you have the power and influence to lead through your actions and influence others around you to embrace sustainability as part of their organization’s mission.
When I share the stories of companies like Herman Miller and Sister Bay Furniture with clients, there’s a satisfaction knowing they’re choosing earth-friendly products. That’s something to be proud of and something not everyone can say.
That’s because sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for me. I remember as a child in grade school, being asked what I would do to help save the Earth. I said I wanted to design a car that could eat trash and clean up landfills. It was just this wild, hopeful vision of a healthier planet.
Years later, learning about Herman Miller’s efforts, walking through Sister Bay’s production facility, and seeing how recycled materials are transformed into beautiful, durable furniture, it felt like that childhood dream was coming to life. It makes me proud to work for a company like Samuels Group that truly cares about green initiatives and embraces sustainability by offering sustainable products and building LEED-certified facilities, because we all benefit when we build better.
Learn more about our Furniture Solutions, including those mentioned here, and check out our guide to Sustainable Building Design below. Then, reach out to begin a conversation about your project and how we can help you achieve your sustainability goals.
