This Plastic Free July, Humanscale, leading designers and manufacturers in sustainable, high-performance ergonomic products and a certified B-Corporation is reaffirming its commitment to sustainability. Highlighting its collection of planet positive products – including the ‘Ocean range’ which transforms discarded fishing nets into sustainable chairs that help restore our oceans and give back more than they take.
Plastic Free July, an internationally known movement encourages individuals and organisations to reduce single-use plastic, while creating awareness for plastic pollution. Now more than 140 million people across 190 countries take part in the movement, every year. This movement, however, goes beyond water bottle recycling; it’s about the products we use every day, from tech to furniture, and the effect they have.
As a global leader in its sector, Humanscale has prioritised product development and manufacturing processes that minimise environmental impact. By 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans, so the urgency to act has never been greater. Discarded fishing nets account for approximately 20% of ocean plastic and are considered among the most harmful marine waste. This reality led Humanscale to become the first manufacturer to repurpose discarded fishing nets into chairs in 2016. Since then, the company’s Ocean Collection has grown to include Smart Ocean, Liberty Ocean, Path, and more recently Freedom Ocean.
Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer, Humanscale
“Plastic Free July is an important reminder that every choice we make, as individuals and as businesses, has an impact on the health of our planet. At Humanscale, we believe sustainability should be built into every stage of a products lifecycle, from the materials we source to the way products are manufactured and ultimately reused. By transforming discarded fishing nets (widely regarded as the most harmful type of ocean plastic) into high-performance ergonomic seating, our Ocean Collection demonstrates how waste can become a valuable resource. Our goal is not simply to reduce environmental harm, but to create products that leave the world better off than we found it, helping to restore natural systems while delivering exceptional design and performance.”
Niels Diffrient’s visionary design of the Freedom Chair broke free from the limitations of traditional seating, offering support by adapting to each individual. This revolutionary approach challenges conventions by removing complex adjustments, offering a self-adjusting recline mechanism that provides support in every position. An adaptation of Freedom is Freedom Ocean, its materials are free of harmful chemicals, is made with post-consumer recycled content, and produced in TRUE Zero Waste facilities. Each Freedom chair produced leaves the world better off by positively impacting energy, water, and carbon in the environment.
Designed with sustainability at its core, Path reimagines task seating through a combination of innovative materials and responsible manufacturing. Incorporating reclaimed fishing nets alongside its Eco Knit textile, Path transforms waste streams into high-performance design. The chair’s streamlined construction reduces material use while delivering the ergonomic support expected from Humanscale, demonstrating how thoughtful design can create lasting environmental impact without compromising comfort or performance.
Path’s Eco Knit textile further advances Humanscale’s commitment to circular design. Crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester sourced from recycled water bottles, the knit provides a soft, supportive seating experience while helping divert plastic waste from landfill. Combined with ocean-bound fishing nets and other sustainable materials, Path exemplifies Humanscale’s approach to creating products that actively contribute to a healthier planet. The result is a task chair that not only minimises environmental impact but helps give back more than it takes.
Humanscale’s discarded fishing net initiative stands as one of the company’s most impactful sustainability efforts, setting a precedent for other leading manufactures. At its core, Humanscale’s approach to design and manufacturing goes beyond reducing environmental harm, it creates products that actively contribute to a healthier planet rather than simply minimising damage.