MillerKnoll is a collective that has a central unifying approach when it comes to sustainability – and it’s one that frames design not merely for its aesthetic strengths, but, more importantly, as a tool for maximum positive impact on the world.

It is an organisation that has explored and honed its company-wide beliefs and goals, resulting in a commitment to being carbon net-zero by 2050 and using totally bio-based or recycled materials by that same date. Goals for zero landfill waste and elimination of single-use plastics are an urgent priority for the company. It has vowed to achieve these goals in five years, while looking to increase its used furniture take-back program dramatically in the next two years.

In line with all these goals and initiatives, MillerKnoll has recently released its 2025 Better World Report.

As a collective of some of the planet’s most influential and highly regarded design brands, MillerKnoll is an organisation that lives and breathes sustainable design principles and this latest report reveals in detail how truly inspired, holistic design can have the most profound sustainable impacts across the board – on people, the communities in which they live, work and play, and the very planet itself.

The report revolves around those three central impact pillars:

• Planet – environmental sustainability is at the heart of MillerKnoll’s principles, because this is the overarching umbrella that influences everything else.

• Community – considering how sociological groups interact and influence each other, a significant consideration for genuine sustainability revolves around engaging with all of the different levels of community around us, giving back and paying it forward.

• People – and, at the micro level, true sustainability is part of everyday culture and inclusion. Whether that is implementing simple recycling schemes or working as a team in your workplace to address issues such as heat/air-conditioning use and how to streamline systems and processes to avoid overconsumption and/or profligacy.

How those fundamental pillars are addressed by MillerKnoll in its embedded practices

Planet

Climate change is, sadly, perhaps the greatest challenge facing the planet and it’s now the responsibility of all to play their part in addressing the issue. MillerKnoll has made great strides in this regard by achieving 100 percent renewable energy across all its manufacturing sites this year – ahead of schedule. Its design and circular economy strategies saw the diversion of nearly two million kilograms of furniture from landfill. Can’t quite picture that? Then think of 102,439 Aeron chairs and you’ll get the idea.

Communities

What does it mean to give back to the community? Charity fundraisers and local initiatives are good, but a regular committed portion delivered to causes aligned with an organisation’s values go that much further. MillerKnoll’s team has adopted the annual Global Day of Purpose, which this year saw members volunteering all over the world – in five continents and across 175 cities. And the momentum for this initiative is only building…

People

An often-overlooked drain on organisational resources is employee churn. As at 2025 about a fifth of MillerKnoll’s global workforce have attained the soubriquet of water carrier – which simply means they’ve been with the company for over two decades. Unsurprisingly with such statistics, employment engagement is also positive, with stronger commitment and engagement across the board.

The impact report recognises that sustainability is a far-reaching and multi-headed beast. It needs to be in an organisation’s DNA – so that clear and measurable ESG targets are set and adhered to, and progress is strictly monitored. So that the entire workforce is on board, embodying those ideas and aspirations every day. And so that communities benefit via education, via philanthropy and via the use of products that enrich their lives with no negative effects, only positive ones.

The 2025 MillerKnoll ‘Better World Report’ can be viewed here.