HOLLAND, MI – Haworth, Inc. today released its eighth annual sustainability report. The 2012 report, which can be downloaded exclusively at Haworth.com, details the company’s progress towards becoming a sustainable company.

“Our commitment to sustainability shines through in four distinct areas — accountability, knowledge, people and products,” said Steve Kooy, Haworth global sustainability manager.

Throughout 2012, Haworth continued its global zero-waste-to-landfill journey. In May, the company announced that its Portugal manufacturing sites in Queluz and Áqueda achieved zero-waste-to-landfill. Portugal's achievement completed Haworth Europe's zero-waste-to-landfill initiative and made all three global Haworth sectors (North America and Asia Pacific, 2009; Europe, 2012) waste-to-landfill free.

In October, the Holland-based company hosted a one-day, zero-waste-to-landfill workshop. The event drew more than 70 business leaders from across the United States. Participants heard presentations from Haworth leadership and toured Haworth’s operations facilities, recycle center, and corporate offices to gain insight into the company’s successes and challenges.

“Haworth appreciates the time and talents that our members invest toward helping the company become a sustainable corporation,” said Kooy. “Our members are also tremendously committed to enriching the communities we serve.”

2012 marked the second growing season of the Haworth Member Garden. Haworth members tended the garden, which produced more than 400 pounds of vegetables and herbs, on lunch breaks or in their spare time. Most of the yield was donated to the Center for Women in Transition. The Member Garden continues to be a source of charitable giving and cultivates stronger connections between Haworth employees.

“From the design to the manufacture process, our members help Haworth reduce its impact on the environment,” said Kooy. “Since 2005, we have reduced our global greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent and our VOC air emission rates by 81 percent.”

Haworth’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certification program, which was established in 2012, provides customers with FSC-certified products at no additional premium charge. The program supports clients’ green-building goals and demonstrates a commitment to source sustainable materials. The positive impact of the company’s FSC program was immediately felt. Haworth sources more than 80 percent of our wood from sustainable, FSC-certified forests - an increase from less than 5 percent in 2011.

2012 was also a significant year for Haworth showrooms. In December, the United States Green Building Council presented Haworth with a LEED Platinum certification for the achievement of green design, construction, and operation of its Atlanta Showroom. In Europe, Haworth’s Zurich Showroom was awarded a LEED Gold certification. Zurich is the company’s first European showroom to achieve the certification.

Source: Haworth, Inc.