GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- Steelcase Inc., the world's largest manufacturer of office and institutional furniture with annual sales of $2.4 billion, reported great progress in its continuing efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

Steelcase released its 2011 Corporate Sustainability Report during NeoCon, the World's Trade Fair for Interior Design and Facilities Management. The report details Steelcase's progress towards environmental goals set to coincide with its 100-year anniversary in 2012.

Jim Hackett, president and CEO of Steelcase, said, "Nearly six years ago we set an aggressive goal to reduce our environmental footprint by 25 percent in 2012 and with that deadline on the horizon, we're incredibly pleased and humbled by the progress our people have made. At the same time, there is more to do – as there will always be – and we're ready to set the next challenge to push our efforts even further in the future."

The Steelcase corporate sustainability report incorporates metrics to quantify the company's progress in a number of key areas. Since 2006, the company said it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, its water consumption and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions by 52 percent and its waste by 48 percent. 

In May 2011, the General Services Administration (GSA) presented Steelcase with the 2010 Evergreen Award in the furniture category. Steelcase is the only company honored twice in that category, with the first recognition in 2000. Further, Detroit Free Press named Steelcase a Michigan Green Leader in 2011.

For full details on Steelcase's environmental efforts, please view or download the report at www.steelcase.com/sustainabilityreport.

Posted by Rich Christianson