MillerKnoll, a global collective of design brands, has unveiled a new sustainability strategy that builds on its legacy of environmental stewardship.

The new goals put forward in MillerKnoll’s sustainability strategy representing an ongoing commitment to design for the good of humankind. Their unveiling coincides with the release of MillerKnoll’s 2024 Better World Report, which tracks the performance of the company’s recent environmental initiatives. 

“Climate change is an urgent global challenge. At MillerKnoll, we are taking bold steps to drive change,” MillerKnoll CEO Andi Owen says. “Our associates are working with our partners, suppliers and customers to further improve the sustainability of our processes, products and the spaces we design.”

A holistic sustainability strategy 

MillerKnoll’s new sustainability strategy focuses on three key areas:

• Carbon: Design the lowest carbon footprint products and commit to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

• Materials: Use sustainable, 100 percent bio-based or recycled materials by 2050.

• Circularity: Create timeless, durable products with zero waste by 2050.

With this new strategy, MillerKnoll aims to transform how it designs, manufactures, delivers and maintains furnishings. Clear short- and long-term goals in these core areas allow for meaningful improvements across every stage of the product journey. 

“It starts the moment a design is conceived and continues even after a product has reached the end of its life,” senior vice president of innovation and sustainability Sean McDowell says.

MillerKnoll recognises every decision has an impact on the planet – from the materials selected to the energy consumed and the logistics that bring products to market. Every step in the process contributes to the company’s carbon footprint. 

That’s why MillerKnoll is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Through innovation, dedication and data-driven decisions, its teams are continuously improving the product creation process.

The steps to net zero by 2050

The key initiatives outlined in MillerKnoll’s new sustainability strategy include:

• Sustainable materials and safe chemistry: Prioritise natural, low-carbon and recycled materials and ensure that its products are safe for people and the environment.

• Energy and waste reduction: Commit to using renewable energy and minimising waste and water use across manufacturing processes.

• Smart packaging and logistics: Continue to reduce the use of single-use plastic packaging, including polystyrene and bubble wrap. Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to optimise routing and load efficiency and transition fleet to use more biofuel and electric energy, further reducing emissions from transportation.

• Supply chain collaboration: Engage Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to reduce waste and drive efficiency.

• Global take-back program: Reclaim and responsibly resell, restore, refurbish or recycle its furniture, no matter its condition.

To demonstrate tangible progress against this new strategy, MillerKnoll has set more specific short-term goals. 

Some examples include transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity and developing specific action plans for the top five commodities to increase material use and efficiency by the 2026 financial year. 

By the 2027 financial year, the company aims to eliminate added per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) globally, and increase furniture waste diverted from landfills to approximately 4.5 million kilograms.

About the 2024 Better World Report

If you’re after transparent evidence of progress to date, the 2024 MillerKnoll Better World Report tracks the company’s performance in environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives across the 2022 to 2024 financial years.

Some sustainability highlights from the report include a 50 percent reduction in waste within MillerKnoll’s global facilities since 2022, a 52 percent reduction in the use of single-use plastic packaging – including polystyrene and bubble wrap – since 2020, and the use of innovative materials like bamboo-based upholstery, eelgrass and biomass-balanced foam.

With its new strategy and report, MillerKnoll demonstrates the importance of not just tracking environmental performance across the product design supply chain, but constantly striving for better results as we race against the climate emergency.

For more information on MillerKnoll’s new sustainability goals and to view the complete Better World Report, visit the MillerKnoll website.