Ethospace, System – Herman Miller Ethospace System - Environmental Product Summary User Manual

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Manufacturing Process

• Renewable energy and Emissions—The Ethospace

system is manufactured at Herman Miller’s
GreenHouse seating operations in West Michigan
using 100 percent renewable energy via renewable
energy credits and a power purchase agreement.
No air or water emissions are released in Aeron’s
production.

• The GreenHouse is also a LEED Pioneer building.
• ISO—The GreenHouse is within the scope of

Herman Miller’s ISO 14001 certified environmental
management system.

• Worker Health and Safety—Herman Miller strives to

meet or exceed OHSA standards. The GreenHouse
is within the scope of Herman Miller’s OHSAS 18001
certified safety management system.

Product Performance
• Designed for minimal material use, reduced energy

requirements, easy reconfiguration, and durability.

• Soiled or damaged panel tiles are easily replaced.
• Backed by Herman Miller’s 12-year, 24/7 warranty.

Indoor Air Quality
The Ethospace system (excluding wood panels) is
GREENGUARD

certified as a low-emitting product that

meets current indoor air quality standards.

Corporate Environmental Policy

For more information on Herman Miller’s Corporate
Environmental Policy and other environmental
efforts, visit the “Environmental Advocacy” section of
HermanMiller.com.

Supplier Support
At Herman Miller, we are committed to working closely
with our suppliers to reduce our collective impact on
the environment. We not only encourage our suppliers
to minimize their operations’ environmental impacts,
but require they assist us in decreasing our facilities’
negative environmental effects, as well.

LEED
Ethospace may contribute to LEED credits due to its
durability, pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled
content, and GREENGUARD certification. Depending
on location, Ethospace also may qualify to contribute
to a LEED Regional Materials credit. Please refer to

Environmental Product Summary

Ethospace

System

• Steel components contain approximately 35 percent

recycled content and are 100 percent recyclable.

• Wall frames are finished with an autophoretic coat-

ing, which is free of volatile organic compounds
(VOCs).

• Tackboard substrates are derived from sustainably

harvested wood products certified in accordance
with the Sustainable Forestry Initiative

• Wood, while not technically recyclable, can be

cycled back to the natural environment, such as
through composting. The wood content in our work
surfaces and storage unit substrates is comprised
of 100-percent reclaimed wood, as certified by the
Composite Panel Associations EPP. This wood
content is made primarily of sawdust generated by
other wood process operations. Additionally, wood
waste from our operations can be burned in our
energy center, which generates steam that we use in
our operations facilities.

• Formcoat

work surfaces are finished with a polyester-

based powder coating that seals the wood substrate
and reduces off-gassing.

• All veneers used are purchased from suppliers

practicing responsible forestry techniques.

– Approximately 60-80 percent of veneers are derived

from domestically grown woods, notably cherry.

–Responsibly harvested, rapidly renewable

bamboo work surface veneer is also available.

– All veneers are adhered to the substrate with

water-based glues to minimize air emissions.

• Textiles used in Herman Miller products can be

made from natural or synthetic fibers. Several textiles
are available with 100 percent recycled content.

• Plastic components are identified with an ASTM

recycling code whenever possible, to aid in returning
these materials to the recycling stream.

• Returnable/Recyclable Packaging—Packaging

materials include corrugated cardboard, molded pulp,
and expanded polystyrene foam. These materials
are part of a closed-loop recycling system.

– Whenever possible, shipments between

Herman Miller and its suppliers include the use
of pallets and other returnable packaging to
minimize waste.

– On large North American orders, disposable

packaging can be replaced with reusable
shipping blankets.

® Y and Z and Ethospace are among the registered trademarks of Herman Miller, Inc.

® level is a trademark of BIFMA International.

Only the products that are identified as such on this document are FSC® certified.

® Sustainable Forest Initiative is a registered trademark of SFI Inc.

® GREENGUARD is a registered trademark of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.