June 14, 2004—Haworth, Inc., an international designer and manufacturer of interior architectural components and sustainable workspace solutions, recently received recognition for its environmental management practices from the Michigan state government and the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC). Haworth, which has been recognized at the local, state, and federal levels for many environmental practices, has also joined the DEQ as a corporate partner in the Michigan Business Pollution Prevention Partnership.
Haworth facilities located in Douglas and Ludington earned the Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen designation from the MI Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Haworth facility in Douglas became the 95th to earn the honor and the first in Allegan County; while the Haworth-Ludington Components in Ludington earned designation as the 96th Clean Corporate Citizen, the first in Mason County.
To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.
Both Haworth facilities manage recycling programs that keep scrap steel, light bulbs, batteries, waste oil and coolant, cardboard, paper, barrels, computers, and plastic components from being landfilled. To support corporate air pollution prevention goals, both facilities operate a 100 percent solvent-free powder painting process. The Douglas facility also recycles aluminum, and Ludington Components includes fabric in their recycling program. The Douglas and Ludington facilities earned International Standards Organization 14001 certification in 2002, meeting the voluntary international standard for environmental management systems.
In recognition for outstanding efforts supporting recycling, Haworth was also selected for the 2003 Michigan Recycler of the Year Award by the Michigan Recycling Coalition (MRC), a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to fostering recycling and composting in Michigan. Continuous focus on environmental issues earned Haworth the award for the second time, the only furniture manufacturer to do so. The winners were selected from numerous applicants and are chosen based on their impact on reducing the waste stream, ability to serve as a model for others, and educational efforts.
Awards were given out in four categories, including the Outstanding Reduction and Reuse Program for which Haworth was recognized. A former recipient of the award in 1999, Haworth continues to create innovative programs targeted at the reducing waste. In 2003 Haworth recycled over 22 million pounds of material from over 30 different items, a 22% increase from 2002.
