Smarter Packaging for Sustainable Workplaces

Article originally published on Haworth Spark

As organizations reimagine their workspaces, sustainability remains a top priority. Circular design is reshaping how offices are built and furnished, encouraging the use of materials that are efficient, responsible, and long-lasting.

But sustainable thinking doesn’t stop at furniture and finishes. It extends to every detail, including packaging. As companies look for ways to reduce waste and simplify disposal, packaging is becoming an important part of the conversation.

At Haworth, we’re committed to leading in this field. Our sustainable packaging solutions are designed to ease the burden on our customers while helping them meet their environmental goals.

The Hidden Cost of Packaging Waste

Traditional packaging is often overengineered and outdated in terms of material composition. Materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS) packing foam and cling films are difficult to recycle and often overused, resulting in unnecessary waste. These materials don’t just affect the environment—they also create challenges on job sites, especially for teams working toward green building certifications like LEED or WELL.

The issue is larger than many realize. The by-product of office fit-out projects often includes waste from discarded materials. According to the Better Building Partnership, for every 100 square meters of floor space, a fit-out can produce over 5 tonnes of waste, originating from strip-out, demolition, and construction debris, as well as from packaging and damaged or unused materials.

Why Sustainable Packaging Matters

Environmental responsibility remains central to design decisions. As Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools become more advanced, there’s growing attention on every material brought into a space—including packaging.

The latest updates to LEED v5 place renewed emphasis on reducing waste during building construction and renovation. Waste generated during the process now contributes to embodied carbon emissions calculations. This includes packaging for materials and furnishings used.  Credits are awarded for the responsible management of construction and demolition waste, reinforcing the importance of thoughtful material choices.

By designing our product packaging with sustainable outcomes in mind, Haworth helps customers reach their project and building waste diversion goals. We prioritize materials that are recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable.

At the same time, regulatory pressure is increasing. Haworth is preparing for new requirements to ensure our solutions are both sustainable and compliance ready.

Haworth’s Smart Packaging Philosophy

Haworth follows a smart packaging design philosophy, driven by a clear mission:
To develop innovative, efficient, and sustainable packaging to safely deliver Haworth products to our customers.
This philosophy is central to how we help customers achieve their sustainability goals.

The principles that guide our packaging design, always with our customers in mind, include:

• Intelligent packaging – We use minimal material to ensure safe, high-quality delivery without damage.
• Connected packaging – Our designs are optimized for logistics to reduce our shipping footprint.
• Sustainable packaging – We prioritize materials that are recyclable or renewable.

The Impact of Sustainable Packaging

At Haworth, sustainable packaging is a continuous, collaborative effort. Our packaging team works closely with transportation, distribution, and quality teams to evaluate current designs and identify opportunities for improvement. The goal is simple: Reduce waste, improve efficiency, and enhance the customer experience.

Recent improvements include:

• Recyclable task chair bag – By switching from unrecyclable polypropylene to recyclable polyethylene, we diverted more than 100,000 lbs. (45,359 kg) of material from landfills annually, reduced product damage, and saved 45 minutes per trailer in loading time.
• Biodegradable stretch wrap – In 2024, we replaced 46,000 lbs. (20,865 kg) of traditional stretch wrap with VANISH™, a biodegradable alternative that leaves behind no microplastics.
• EPS reduction – We eliminated more than 8,800 lbs. (3,992 kilograms) of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packing foam by replacing it with paper-based alternatives and optimizing the design of remaining components. This change removed over 230,000 individual EPS pieces from our packaging stream, reducing landfill waste and improving recyclability.

Designing Packaging for What’s Next

Haworth’s packaging supports reuse and recycling, aligning with circular economy principles. Our approach helps customers meet sustainability goals tied to building standards and project requirements.

As regulations evolve, we’re ready. Our packaging strategies are being adapted to meet emerging requirements, helping customers stay ahead of compliance challenges.

We’re committed to continuous improvement, because better packaging leads to better performance, greater efficiency, and more sustainable outcomes.