Steelcase is a leading designer and manufacturer of products used to create high-performance work environments. Some of its environmental commitments include reusing water in its part-washing process to reduce water consumption and minimizing supplier packaging through extensive use of returnable containers. It also has an extensive cut-to-size program to minimize process wastes.
In September 2004, the Markham, Ontario facility of Steelcase Canada Ltd. became a charter participant in Ontario’s Environmental Leaders (Leaders) Program. This progressive manufacturer was the first facility to join the program and it has agreed to go beyond the legal requirements for Volatile Organic Compound emissions by eliminating solvent-based paints, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) through energy efficiency measures.
The company employs more than 500 people at its Markham headquarters manufacturing facility, and operates through a national network of 40 independent dealers, providing customers with expertise on all aspects of the office environment, including space planning, design and installation
Product development teams analyze the environmental impacts of materials and manufacturing processes as part of the Design for Environment process. For example, Steelcase uses steel and aluminum with 100 per cent recycled content. All the adhesives used in Steelcase processes are water-based to reduce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions.
Steelcase Canada has been an ISO 14001 registered company since 2001 and is the recipient of the Recycling Council of Ontario Environmentally Sustainable Business Award and Platinum Waste Minimization Award.
