Rethinking Production to Create Durable, Recyclable, and Responsible Products
Every product tells a story. From the first sketch to the final shipment, its journey is shaped by choices — materials, processes and logistics — that directly impact our planet. And it all starts in the factory.
Manufacturing plays a critical role in sustainability, influencing everything from a product’s carbon footprint to its recyclability. Forward-thinking manufacturers are pushing beyond traditional efficiency metrics to consider the entire story arc of their products. Instead of just focusing on cost and speed, they’re racking up planet points — making choices that benefit both business and the environment. They’re rethinking how materials are sourced, how waste is minimized, and how logistics can be optimized to cut emissions, proving that sustainability and smart manufacturing go hand in hand.
Two companies driving this shift are JSI and Humanscale. JSI is demonstrating how transparent sustainability goals can inspire change across the industry, challenging manufacturers to rethink not just the products they create but how they create them. Humanscale’s Ocean Chair is more than a piece of office furniture; it’s a statement about what’s possible when sustainability is truly embedded into design and production.
(Quick note: This isn’t a sponsored post — we just love talking to people doing cool things for the planet. No ads, no commissions, just good conversations about sustainability.)
This month, I’m chatting with Doug Shapiro from JSI about its commitment to circular manufacturing, what they’ve learned along the way, and how they’re designing products with end-of-life solutions in mind. I also spoke with Humanscale’s Jane Abernethy to get a closer look at how the company is redefining manufacturing and why facility managers should take a closer look at the supply chain behind their purchases.
Let’s get into it.
Manufacturing’s Carbon Footprint: Why It Matters
When we think about sustainability in furniture, we often focus on materials — what’s in them, where they come from, and how they break down. But it starts much earlier. Manufacturing can be a carbon-intensive process responsible for massive energy consumption, waste generation, and emissions. The adventure doesn’t end when the product leaves the factory — transportation and logistics add another layer, with raw materials and finished products often traveling thousands of miles before reaching their final destination.
Here’s why this chapter of the story matters: Material Sourcing — Choosing locally and responsibly sourced materials helps ensure a product’s origin, which includes ethical supply chains and reduced emissions; Production Efficiency — Advanced manufacturing techniques, like closed-loop water systems and renewable energy integration, rewrite the traditional waste-heavy manufacturing narrative; Waste Reduction — Design for deconstruction ensures products don’t end in a landfill but instead get a new chapter through take-back programs and remanufacturing; and Transportation Optimization — Smarter logistics mean fewer miles traveled and a lower carbon footprint, extending the life of a product’s positive impact (ahem, planet points!).
By working with manufacturers committed to sustainable practices, facility managers, furniture planners and interior designers can shape the next chapter of the industry’s sustainability journey.
Circular Design with JSI
Every product’s lifecycle doesn’t have to end when it wears out. If it’s designed properly, it can be disassembled, reused or reimagined into something new. JSI is making a significant impact by rethinking how products are designed, produced and reused with a focus on circular manufacturing.
I spoke with Doug Shapiro, vice president of sales at JSI, to learn about its sustainability journey and how it is leading the industry toward a circular economy.
Dianne: How does JSI approach circular manufacturing?
Doug: At JSI, we see circularity not just as a philosophy that guides manufacturing and design, but also how we think about our purpose. We want to build products that contribute positively throughout their entire lifecycle — prioritizing longevity, adaptability and materials that can return to the ecosystem.
We also place a strong emphasis on local materials and local production. That reduces our carbon footprint and creates a stronger connection between our craft and our community.
If we can build great products in the right way, those good decisions will return back to our community in the form of healthy growth. That’s all reflected in our purpose: To hand over a better business to the next generation.
Dianne: How is JSI reducing its environmental impact beyond product design?
Doug: Besides focusing on local materials and manufacturing, we’ve got a top-class operations team. They are continuously improving energy efficiency and reducing waste. We’ve cut 2 million kWh annually and reduced CO₂ emissions by 82 metric tons per month through solar power. Additionally, we convert 1,000 tons of solid wood waste into energy annually, significantly lowering our environmental impact.
Dianne: Why is transparency important to JSI?
Doug: It’s straightforward. Transparency builds trust and drives accountability. It’s about ensuring that our customers and employees know exactly who we are and what we stand for. When people can see how and why we do what we do, it deepens confidence and builds partnerships.
Humanscale’s Ocean Chair: A Model of Eco-Conscious Manufacturing
Humanscale’s Ocean Chair, made from reclaimed ocean plastics, demonstrates how waste can be repurposed into high-performance furniture. I caught up with Jane Abernethy, chief sustainability officer at Humanscale, to learn about its approach to sustainable design.
Dianne: What inspired the creation of the Ocean Chair?
Jane: Ocean plastic pollution is a huge issue. We wanted to show that ocean-bound plastic isn’t just waste — it can be transformed into valuable, high-performance furniture. It’s about turning a problem into a solution.
Dianne: How did you design the Ocean Chair with sustainability in mind?
Jane: We sourced plastics from coastal areas, minimizing transportation emissions. The chair is designed for disassembly, so it can be easily repaired, refurbished, or recycled, extending its lifecycle and reducing waste.
Dianne: What advice do you have for those who want to support sustainable manufacturing?
Jane: Start by asking the right questions — about materials, production methods and sustainability commitments. mindful MATERIALS is a great resource for knowing what to ask. You can drive positive change by choosing vendors who prioritize sustainability.
Partnering with Manufacturers: How Facility Managers Can Drive Change
Sustainable manufacturing isn’t just about the products — it’s about the people who shape the process. Facility managers, procurement teams and designers all have the power to influence how a product’s journey unfolds. If sustainability is going to move from a ‘nice to have’ to a non-negotiable plot point, the industry needs more open conversations between buyers and vendors.
Do you specify new furniture? Here’s how you can take an active role in shaping the next chapter: Start the Conversation — Ask vendors about their sustainability initiatives, product lifecycles, and carbon reduction strategies; Look for Third-Party Certifications — Seek out manufacturers with Cradle to Cradle, B Corp or BIFMA Level certifications to ensure their sustainability claims are backed up; Prioritize Local Sourcing — Choosing closer-to-home manufacturing reduces unnecessary transportation miles in a product’s journey; and Demand Take-Back Programs — Work with manufacturers who offer end-of-life solutions, because all products deserve a second act.
Every purchasing decision is an opportunity to edit the narrative of manufacturing. The more we prioritize these factors, the faster the industry will shift toward more planet-positive product options.
Just One Thing: Open the Door to Vendor Communication
Every product’s story is shaped by the choices we make. As a facility manager, procurement leader, or designer, you don’t have to rewrite the entire industry overnight, but you can direct a conversation that sparks change.
If we all committed to making sustainability a talking point with our vendors, the ripple effect would be massive — think 17 billion tons massive. It all starts with a conversation, and those conversations create awareness, the first step in rewriting the industry’s future.
Editor’s Note: “Just One Thing” is a five-part series written by Dianne Murata, OG Furniture Nerd at Kimiko Designs and accidental environmentalist leading kimiko green, a collaborative forum for industry professionals. This series will walk you through five key pillars of sustainable furniture planning. From digging into material transparency and vetting manufacturers to embedding sustainability into FF&E specifications, RFPs, and long-term habits — together, we’ll cut through the fluff and get straight to actionable change.