2020 Vision – we can see the future clearly

In 2004 we established the ‘Perfect Vision’ programme. The initiative established a target date of 2020 to meet a precise and challenging list of sustainable goals:

• Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions to air
• Zero hazardous waste
• Zero solid waste to landfill
• Zero process water consumption
• 100% renewable electrical energy use
• 100% of sales from DfE (Design for the Environment) approved products
• 100% of owned or leased company
• buildings achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
• silver certifi cation.

With continuing improvements in technology and a strong commitment among Herman Miller employees, we fully intend to reach these goals.

Our success

We are committed to being at 80% of our 2020 goals by 2010, and here are some of the successes to date:

• We have achieved 0% VOC emissions from our processes by using clean water-based adhesives and lacquers
• Hazardous waste has been managed down to 0.02% of our waste total
• 96% of all our operating waste is recycled, for example we turn our waste wood into compost and animal bedding, which means more than 2000 tonnes of wood waste was diverted from landfill in 2008
• Our process water is recycled three times and then treated to become a safe addition to the water system
• 100% of our manufacturing energy comes from renewable sources; utilising power from wind energy, hydro, biomass and methane.

We measure, monitor and report our progress towards our environmental goals and have continuous improvement programmes running to reduce packaging and waste, improve energy efficiency across our facilities, reduce transport emissions and employee travel miles.

Through an extensive in-house environmental training programme we aim to engage all employees, dealers and suppliers in protecting our environment.

Standards and certificates:

• ISO14001 Environmental Management System
• FSC certifi ed TT-COC-2119
• Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA)
• Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) – founder members
• Club Green (FIRA) environmental legislation
• MBDC’s Cradle to Cradle certifi cation
• Design for the Environment – life cycle assessment
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method(BREEAM)
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
• GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI) – indoor air quality certifi cation
• ISO11469 Generic plastics marking

Environmental partners:

• Comply Direct – waste packaging and WEEE compliance
• Green Standards ‘Waste to Wonder’– ethical disposal of redundant office furniture
• Best Foot Forward – working with Herman Miller to analyse and audit both our carbon and ecological footprint

All our UK manufactured and assembled furniture is made with 100% renewable energy. All our plastic and cardboard packaging is 100% recyclable

For more information visit:

www.policy53.com