March 31, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality has named Herman Miller’s GreenHouse manufacturing facility Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen, becoming the 110th facility to earn the honor. The 293,000 square foot facility in Holland manufactures, tests, and assembles all Herman Miller brand work chairs.

“The DEQ is pleased to recognize The GreenHouse Seating Operation for their facility-wide commitment to environmental protection, recyclable products, and providing a safe and healthy manufacturing environment for all employees,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “This company is an example of our ideal of having a healthy economy and a healthy environment go hand in hand.”

Environmental achievements at The GreenHouse include:

• GreenHouse seating products have earned GREENGUARD Indoor Air
  Quality Certification.

• The GreenHouse received the Pioneer Award from the U.S. Green
  Building Council, and served as the prototype for the U.S. Green
  Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
  Design) certification process.

• All of the building’s lighting specifications meet or exceed the “Green
  Lights” and “Energy Star” guidelines for energy efficiency.

• The GreenHouse produces just 16 pounds of landfill waste per day, on
  average. Over 97 percent of its solid waste is recycled.

• Native plantings cover the majority of the GreenHouse property site,
  eliminating the need for fertilizer, herbicides, and lawn-mowing
  equipment. Vegetation is also used to filter storm water runoff from
  parking areas.

• Wood scraps from the GreenHouse are combined with wood wastes
  from other Herman Miller facilities to create steam and electricity for
  the company’s main manufacturing site in Zeeland.

• Ten percent of the energy purchased to power the GreenHouse is
  derived from landfill methane and other alternative energy sources.

“Herman Miller is honored to receive the Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen distinction for our GreenHouse facility,” said Environmental Affairs Manager Paul Murray. “We have a steadfast commitment to environmental stewardship that encompasses our people, products, and places of work, and we appreciate the Department of Environmental Quality’s acknowledgement for our efforts.”

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. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised March 31, 2005 by Pat Watson