People + Planet

Steelcase Awarded for Commitment to the Planet

International and national recognition spotlights progress on limiting climate change.

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Steelcase was recently recognized with multiple awards for its ongoing commitment to limiting its impact on the planet and reducing climate change. The company won an EcoVadis Gold Award and EPA’s WasteWise Award, and was recognized on the 2021 CDP Supplier Engagement Leaderboard and as a partner in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge.

air shot of a forest

“We’re delighted to be recognized for the work we’ve done and progress we continue to make,” says Mary Ellen Mika, director of sustainability. “While there’s much more to accomplish, hitting these milestones energizes us as we keep to our commitment to limit the impact of climate change through sustainable practices across our business. We believe in protecting our environment in everything we do. Our products and operations are designed around smart material choices, addressing embodied carbon, reducing packaging waste and preparing for a circular economy. Our commitment to the planet can be seen through real actions, including our work with these great organizations.”

EcoVadis Gold

EcoVadis, the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, scored Steelcase at a Gold level, placing it in the top four percent of companies assessed globally. The EcoVadis rating is awarded based on the themes of environment, labor and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement. Most notably, the company was recognized for its overall sustainability achievements, including its commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions as approved through the independent Science-Based Targets Initiative. This is the second year Steelcase has been recognized by EcoVadis with a Gold award.

EPA WasteWise Award

Steelcase received the EPA’s WasteWise Award in the large business category for outstanding leadership in reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and incinerators for disposal. The company was recognized for its commitment to scrap reduction in manufacturing, with a 25% reduction in fiscal year 2022.

CDP Supplier Engagement Leaderboard

Additionally, Steelcase was recognized on the 2021 CDP Supplier Engagement Leaderboard. The CDP is a not-for-profit organization that runs the global environmental disclosure system for business and local governments. Steelcase was recently recognized in the top eight percent of reporting companies for its work with suppliers to tackle climate change. Additionally, for calendar year 2021, Steelcase received the highest grade among the contract furniture industry for overall environmental transparency and action.

U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge Partner

Finally, the U.S. Department of Energy recognized Steelcase as a partner in the Department of Energy’s Better Climate Challenge for committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the company by at least 50% within 10 years and to work with the DOE to share successful solutions and decarbonization strategies. As a partner, Steelcase is one of more than 50 organizations across the U.S. economy that are stepping up to the challenge and driving real-world action toward a low-carbon future.

“It is our goal to create products that are good for people and good for the world,” says Mika. “We believe it is our responsibility to take action and continue to design products that have less impact on the planet and reduce climate change through ongoing sustainable practices across our value chain.”


Learn more about Steelcase’s sustainability practices.

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