Here at HON, green is so much more than just our favorite color. It all started when we began making card files from pieces of scrap metal almost 70 years ago.


Today, we are just as committed to conserving raw materials and reducing waste in our design, manufacturing, and distribution processes. Here are 6 ways in which The HON Company minimizes its environmental footprint:

1. Recycled Counterweights – Rather than using new plates of steel for counterweights, HON converts waste material known as mill scale from a local steel plant into counterweights. This manufacturing process promotes waste reduction by diverting the mill scale from the landfills. As someone who has spent time working this process, I can tell you it is no easy task!
2. Paint Reclamation – Our powder coat finishes are applied in a chamber that continuously collects any excess paint. HON manufacturing locations recycle more than 27,000 gallons of wet paint each year.
3. Comold – As an alternative to plywood, comold is used in many of the HON seating components. Comold is composed of 97% compressed wood fiber wastes and molded into the structural seating components. This process saves 2,800 trees and diverts nearly 4,000 tons of waste from landfills annually!
4. Disassembly Instructions – HON provides its dealers with disassembly instructions and recycling guidelines to assist with proper disposal of office furniture components at the end of their useful life.
5. Fabric Recycling – We collect our scrap fabric and turn it over to a company that shreds it for use in “shoddy.” Shoddy is the material found in the trunks and floors of automobiles. Annually, we recycle 200-300 bales of fabric scraps – keeping 100 tons of waste out of landfills
6. Bulk Packing – As an ongoing effort, HON is always working to reduce the amount of material used to package products. It is a challenge to minimize packaging while maintaining the protection required by our high quality standards, but we have gotten creative by bulk packing multiple items in a single package.

To learn more about how HON thinks green as well as our company philosophy on sustainability, visit hon.com.

HON wants to know! How does your office stay green?