If a footprint measures what we take from the world, a handprint measures what we give back. Using MIT’s SHINE framework, our Planet Positive products go 10% beyond carbon neutral, ensuring our handprint is bigger than our footprint.
When total climate emissions for our products are calculated, the amount of carbon in the atmosphere is actually less than when we started. There’s a positive impact for the climate.
Across the United States and around the world, Humanscale is giving back—leaving the Earth’s energy, climate, and waterways better off.
Going Solar, United States
Humanscale works with RE-volv to help nonprofits in underinvested communities across the United States go solar.
Tree Planting, Mexico
Along with One Tree Planted, Humanscale helped plant over 6,000 trees in Mexico’s Monarch High Forest Restoration Project, creating habitat for endangered species, restoring a Monarch butterfly corridor, and sequestering over 15,612,000 kg of CO₂e.
Well Building and Restoration, India
In partnership with the BridgIT Water Foundation, Humanscale established and refurbished 20 wells in villages across rural India, making clean water accessible to over 17,000 people in these communities.
Water Harvestation, Taiwan
With Gravity Water and the Environmental Ethics Foundation of Taiwan, Humanscale helped local schools capture and store rainwater, reducing flooding during the monsoon season and improving efficiency year round.
While it’s often claimed that full materials transparency is impossible, we prove it every day. We’ve researched every material we use—over 700 in total. Led by a dedicated materials scientist and supported by third-party auditors and a toxicologist, this work ensures accuracy. We apply Declare and Health Product Declaration (HPD) labels across our product line, making ingredients as visible as those on products in your kitchen.
We spend nearly all of our time in built environments surrounded by synthetic materials. The ingredients in these materials directly affect our health and well-being, and their production has a significant environmental impact. Humanscale demonstrates that any product can be manufactured using materials that are better for people and the planet.
Humanscale is the only company in the industry that doesn’t use hazardous Red List chemicals, including Chrome 6, HFRs, and PFAs, in the products its designs and manufactures.
Plastic pollution is one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges, with millions of tons entering the ocean each year and threatening marine life and fragile ecosystems. In 2016, Humanscale became the first manufacturer to turn discarded fishing nets into furniture. The Ocean Collection now includes Smart Ocean, Liberty Ocean, Path, Diffrient Occasional, and Freedom Ocean—each transforming harmful waste into high-quality, functional products.
Our facilities aren't just compliant—they're leaders. Every facility we own is designed to give back to the environment and community.
Energy
We installed the largest solar system permitted—designed to generate 80–90% of our electricity. All our manufacturing facilities worldwide run on 100% renewable electricity.
Water
In Piscataway, NJ, a closed-loop system harvests rainwater to power production. In Nogales, Mexico, monsoon rains sustain operations and cool the facility. All facilities use 100% captured rainwater for production.
Waste
We are TRUE Zero Waste certified across all facilities. In 2017, we were recognized by New Jersey’s Department of Environmental Protection for the highest diversion rate in the state. Globally, we divert 94% of our waste and avoid incineration.
Efficiency
Significantly more energy efficient than traditional hydraulic machines, our factories rely on all-electric injection molding machines.
Humanscale is the only major brand in the commercial furniture industry to earn B Corp certification. Becoming a B Corp isn't just about declaring good intentions—it requires passing a rigorous, independent assessment that evaluates every aspect of our business. Of the companies that go through this evaluation, less than half are awarded certification. Being part of the global B Corp community puts us alongside brands like Patagonia and Allbirds. Certified since 2024, re-certified every three years through rigorous independent assessment.
As a B Corp, Humanscale is part of a small group of companies globally that meet the highest standards for social and environmental performance.
