Steelcase just released its 2024 Impact Report. 'This report reflects our commitment to the wellbeing of people and the planet. It shares data about our progress toward our goals and it also represents all the hard work our employees do to create better futures,' says Kim Dabbs, Steelcase vice president of Impact. 'We are proud of the cross-functional collaboration that reflects the collective action needed to make a difference in the world we share.' Below we shared some of the highlights.
Building better futures for people
Designing a better workplace and community starts with caring for people. Steelcase is dedicated to helping communities thrive, fostering inclusion, and acting with integrity. A few examples of the company's progress include:
Better Is Possible design challenge: The first year of this event brought together employees, dealers, and community members in 11 cities globally to generate innovative ideas for climate action.
Charitable contributions: The company has contributed more than $9.9M in charitable giving, including support for community partners, employee donations, and matching gifts and grants from the Steelcase Foundation, a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Volunteerism: The company's people have given more than 62,000 hours of their time since 2021, working toward a goal of 100,000 hours by 2030.
Business inclusion groups: With support from senior leadership and our DEI Core Team, the number of employee-led business inclusion groups has increased again this year, with groups like Pride and the Gaming Community expanding to other regions. These groups are critical to fostering a culture of inclusion.
Inclusive design practice: Steelcase has expanded and formalized collaborations with global partners, such as Special Olympics Michigan, to create inclusive spaces.
In the last year, the company was pleased to be named one of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by Points of Light and one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune, among many other recognitions.
Designing a better future for the planet
Steelcase is focused on reducing our carbon footprint, designing for circularity, and choosing and using materials responsibly.
Earlier this year, the company announced its commitment to a net-zero future, aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by over 90% across its entire value chain by 2050. Steelcase published the industry's first net-zero transition plan, 'The Power of Possibility: A Net Zero Future Needs Us All', detailing its plans to achieve our ambitious—and achievable—goal. It is making significant strides in environmental sustainability:
Carbon emissions reduction: Steelcase is on track to reach its goal of reducing carbon emissions in our operations by 50% by 2030. Over four years, it has already achieved a 30% carbon emissions reduction in our operations. Its Grand Rapids Wood Plant has reduced waste and avoided carbon emissions by using leftover particle board pieces to build shipping pallets.
Supplier engagement: Steelcase is partnering with suppliers to help them set their own science-based carbon emissions reduction targets. This work earned them a spot on CDP's Supplier Engagement Leaderboard for the fourth consecutive year—the only company in the industry to be recognized.
CarbonNeutral® Product Certification: The company has expanded the availability of products with this certification, helping customers offset carbon emissions. Choosing Steelcase CarbonNeutral® Product Certified chairs and desks allows organizations to offset the associated carbon footprint throughout the entire lifecycle of each product.
Sustainable packaging: Steelcase now averages 40% recycled content in its Steelcase-branded product packaging, and it is working to phase out single-use plastics.
BIFMA LEVEL® Certification: Steelcase leads the industry in the number of products certified to this rigorous, third-party verified sustainability standard in the U.S.
More information:
Steelcase
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www.steelcase.com