Sustainability stories
Sustainable forestry
Stories that inspire our path to a better world
At Knoll, wood has always been more than just a material—it’s part of the brand’s core design language. When wood is grown and harvested responsibly, it’s a naturally renewable resource, and Knoll has led the way for our company’s ongoing responsibility to the forests we relies on.
In 1995, at a time when sustainable sourcing was a novel concept, Knoll began working with the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)—a global nonprofit that promotes responsible forestry and serves as a checks-and-balances entity for the supply chain. Over the next two decades, the brand steadily increased its use of FSC-certified wood (FSC-C028824), reaching 70 percent of its wood product mix. That wasn’t just progress—it was a signal to the entire industry that premium design and responsible sourcing could go hand in hand.
In 1995, at a time when sustainable sourcing was a novel concept, Knoll began working with the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®)—a global nonprofit that promotes responsible forestry and serves as a checks-and-balances entity for the supply chain. Over the next two decades, the brand steadily increased its use of FSC-certified wood (FSC-C028824), reaching 70 percent of its wood product mix. That wasn’t just progress—it was a signal to the entire industry that premium design and responsible sourcing could go hand in hand.
In 2020, Knoll reached a major milestone: 90 percent of its wood products came from FSC-certified sources, with the remaining 10 percent from Controlled Wood—smaller suppliers who follow FSC standards but haven’t yet been formally certified.
These are often small, independent forest operations, and to support these suppliers, MillerKnoll’s FSC-certified partners conduct field audits to help them ensure they’re meeting the same high standards. This kind of collaboration isn’t just good for business—it’s good for forests, local economies, and the future of sustainable manufacturing. Knoll received the FSC Leadership Award in 2018—a testament to decades of quiet, steady progress. Across MillerKnoll, our brands have been recognized as champions of sustainable forestry: Herman Miller first earned the FSC Leadership Award in 2015, and in 2020, Herman Miller and Geiger shared the award.
Today, Knoll continues to set the example within MillerKnoll, helping drive a collective goal: 90 percent sustainably harvested wood across all brands by 2030, with Knoll’s early and ongoing commitment serving as the blueprint. Because when you care deeply about design, you care about what it’s made from—and the world it leaves behind.
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