Humanscale the leading manufacturer of ergonomic products is a certified B Corporation recognised for its planet positive manufacturing leaving the world better off, one product at a time. In support of Plastic Free July, it is showcasing its range of Ocean chairs: the Smart Ocean, Liberty Ocean, and Path chairs all made with reclaimed ocean plastic.
From its inception in Australia in 2011, Plastic Free July has grown into a worldwide call to action. More than 140 million people across 190 countries now take part each year, cutting out disposable plastics at home, work, and on the go. But plastic pollution isn’t just about shopping bags and water bottles—it’s also about the everyday products we bring into our lives, from tech gadgets to furniture.
By 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans, a fact that drives Humanscale’s mission to reverse environmental damage through innovative design. As the first-ever chair made from reclaimed ocean plastic, the Smart Ocean marked a groundbreaking step in sustainable furniture. Humanscale’s expanding Ocean collection continues that legacy, incorporating discarded fishing nets—widely considered the most harmful type of ocean plastic due to their long-lasting impact on marine ecosystems – into their chairs.
Smart Ocean is designed for the future as much as the present. It goes beyond sustainability – incorporating 0.9 kilograms of reclaimed fishing nets, making this an ergonomic task chair that feels good, looks good and does good (for all). Beyond removing harmful plastic waste from the ocean, each chair is Net Positive – meaning it contributes to clean energy and water simply by being produced.
Designed by Niels Diffrient and inspired by the tailoring of clothing, the Liberty Ocean chair features a tri-panel, low-stretch mesh that adapts to the sitter’s unique shape for a personalised fit. Unlike traditional single-panel mesh chairs, its Form-Sensing Mesh conforms precisely to the user’s back. Liberty Ocean is also Planet Positive. Its materials are free of harmful chemicals and is made with ocean plastic, post-consumer recycled content, and produced in TRUE Zero Waste facilities. Each Liberty chair produced leaves the world better off by positively impacting energy, water, and carbon in the environment.
The Path chair sets a new benchmark in sustainable design, designed by Todd Bracher and the Humanscale Design Studio, the Path chair is composed of nearly ten kilograms of recycled materials, which includes reclaimed fishing nets, used plastic bottles, and post-industrial material. Each Path contains over four kilograms of ocean plastic, the majority of which is reclaimed fishing nets. Path is offered in a variety of textile options, including fabric, leather and innovative 3D FormSense Eco KnitTM which is made of 100% post-consumer recycled polyester, with each chair containing approximately 68 PET bottles.
When Humanscale first set out to turn discarded fishing nets into chairs no other manufacturer had yet accomplished this feat, it has become one of its most impactful endeavours and has been emulated by numerous other manufacturers. Humanscale’s approach to product development and manufacturing embodies its mission to not only minimise its impacts but leave the world better off.