Humanscale Launches Waiting Chair Made From 100% Reclaimed Ocean Plastic

NEW YORK — Humanscale, the leading ergonomic furniture brand, this week launched a brand new waiting chair called Freedom Ocean, made entirely from reclaimed ocean plastic and fishing nets, as part of the company’s commitment to sustainability and fighting ocean pollution.

The new chair is part of Humanscale’s Ocean Collection, which uses plastic waste collected from the world’s oceans to create high-quality, durable furniture. The Freedom Ocean waiting chair is made from 10 pounds of reclaimed ocean plastic, which would otherwise be polluting the ocean, harming marine life, and contributing to climate change.

“ For too long, we’ve treated plastic as a disposable material, but it’s actually a valuable resource,” said Robert Buckman, CEO of Humanscale. “We wanted to show that we can take plastic waste that’s polluting our oceans, and turn it into a high-quality, durable waiting chair that can last for decades. That’s the circular economy in action, and that’s what we need to do to fight climate change and ocean pollution.”

Each Freedom Ocean chair is made from plastic waste collected by fishing communities in Southeast Asia, who collect the plastic from coastal areas and fishing nets that have been abandoned in the ocean. The plastic is cleaned, processed, and turned into a high-performance polymer that is used to make the chair’s frame, seat, and backrest.

The chair also features Humanscale’s signature ergonomic design, with weight-compensating recline that automatically adjusts to the user’s body, and lumbar support that reduces back pain during long waits. The chair is also fully recyclable, so at the end of its lifespan, it can be broken down and reused to make new products, creating a closed-loop system.

The launch comes as more and more companies are looking for sustainable furniture solutions, to meet their ESG targets and reduce their carbon footprint. A 2024 survey of commercial procurement managers found that 78% of respondents are now willing to pay a 15% premium for furniture made from recycled materials, as they look to reduce their environmental impact.

“ Our clients are increasingly asking for sustainable solutions,” said Buckman. “They want to know that the furniture they’re buying isn’t contributing to pollution, that it’s made from recycled materials, and that it can be recycled at the end of its life. This new waiting chair is exactly what they’re looking for—it’s sustainable, it’s high-quality, and it’s helping to clean up our oceans.”

The new chair has already received strong interest from a range of clients, from hospitals and airports to office buildings and universities. Many of these clients are looking to achieve carbon neutrality, and switching to sustainable furniture is a key part of that strategy.

“ We’ve been looking for ways to reduce our environmental impact, and furniture is a big part of that,” said Sarah Jenkins, sustainability director at a large university in New York that has already ordered 500 of the new chairs for its student waiting areas. “These waiting chairs are perfect—they’re made from ocean plastic, they’re fully recyclable, and they’re comfortable and durable for our students. It’s a win for the environment, and a win for our students.”

The launch is part of Humanscale’s broader commitment to sustainability, which includes a goal to make all of its products from 100% recycled or renewable materials by 2030. The company has already reduced its carbon emissions by 40% over the past five years, and it is working to achieve carbon neutrality by 2027.

“ Sustainability isn’t just a trend for us—it’s core to everything we do,” said Buckman. “We believe that furniture should be good for people, and good for the planet. This new waiting chair is a perfect example of that—it’s ergonomic, it’s comfortable, it’s durable, and it’s helping to clean up our oceans. That’s the future of our industry.”

According to industry analysts, the demand for sustainable waiting chairs is set to continue growing over the next decade, as more and more companies adopt ESG targets. By 2030, analysts predict that more than 60% of all waiting chairs sold will be made from recycled or renewable materials, as the industry shifts towards a circular economy.

And Humanscale’s new chair is leading the way, showing that sustainable furniture can be just as high-quality and durable as traditional furniture, while also helping to solve some of the world’s biggest environmental problems.