Herman Miller, a recognized innovator in contemporary interior furnishings, announced that its entire portfolio of Aeron Chairs will contain ocean-bound plastic, including a  new color, Onyx Ultra Matte, which contains up to 2.5 pounds of mismanaged plastic waste found near waterways per chair.

The updates are part of Herman Miller’s membership in NextWave Plastics, its ongoing commitment to sustainability and long-term goal to increase recycled content to at least 50%, including the use of ocean-bound plastic across all material the company uses by 2030.

Aeron is the latest in a growing list of products Herman Miller has reengineered using ocean-bound plastic. Depending on configuration, the ocean-bound plastic in Aeron can be found in the frame and tilt covers of the chair and weighs between 0.5 and 2.5 pounds per chair, equivalent to approximately 23 to 114 plastic water bottles.

The new Onyx Ultra Matte colorway contains the highest amount of ocean-bound plastic at almost 2.5 pounds per chair. All chairs within the Aeron Portfolio are up to 90% recyclable and composed of over 50% recycled content. The Onyx Ultra Matte colorway is available to order starting in September in North America.

The company is also reducing its footprint by adding ocean-bound plastic to returnable shipping crates that send seating parts to and from suppliers, as well as poly bags used to keep products safe during transit.

By integrating ocean-bound plastic into all of these products and packaging solutions, Herman Miller estimates to divert up to 234 metric tons of plastic from the ocean annually, equal to preventing close to 400,000 milk jugs or up to 23 million  plastic bottles from entering the ocean annually. 

The plastic used in Aeron is currently sourced from India and Indonesia, which are two of many locations where Herman Miller and other NextWave member companies are creating demand and establishing a supply chain for this material.

Aeron is available in a palette of four material expressions centered on elements pulled from the Earth. Onyx is a dramatic ultra-black shade intended to modernize Aeron. Graphite is a distinctive dark gray, with a classic textured finish. Carbon offers a balanced neutral that works equally well in warm and cool environments. Mineral is the lightest and illuminates Aeron's finer points, ideal for open floorplans and spaces.