Environmental, Social, and Governance at HOW Group
Sustainability
Sustainability is our pledge, innovation our path. We honour the planet and its resources, crafting designs that aim to inspire across time. At HOW Group, sustainability isn't just a goal; it's how we do business.
Our focus on local, ethical, and responsible manufacturing minimises our environmental footprint. We prioritise a circular economy in our product procurement, partnering with brands and manufacturers who share our vision.
We embrace planet-friendly practices and conscious design for a lasting impact, ensuring our products are responsibly sourced and manufactured. Our dedication to sustainable elegance is evident in our use of ethically sourced materials and support for local manufacturing to reduce environmental impact. We encourage clever solutions from our brand partners and manufacturers – like the Fluit chair from Actiu, seen on the right, made entirely from recycled fruit boxes, or wood recycling initiatives from a number of our manufacturers, or the Liberty Ocean Task Chair, seen above, made from recycled plastic from the ocean.
Our commitment to sustainability means we measure our entire social and environmental impact. Through maintaining high standards of accountability and transparency, we address everything from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. The HOW way is to comply with all relevant legislation and uphold high standards in employment practices and workplace health and safety – and we expect our partners to do the same.
Community Connected
We understand that design can play a role in the cultural and social fabric of the community. As leaders of our industry, we want to ensure this connection is built on a future-focus.
Our commitment extends to giving back to the community through our partnerships with organisations such as RMIT. Since 2022 the Paul and Ian Howard Scholarship has enabled students to immerse themselves in the industry outside of Australia, underscoring the power of experiential learning and the scholarship's invaluable impact on aspiring designers. This year the trip included a visit to the Milan Furniture Fair and a number of furniture manufacturing facilities, exposing them to the latest designs, sustainable practices, and innovative furniture pieces that shape future trends.
As corporate partners of the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) we contribute to upholding the cultural landscape of Melbourne, and its arts and design heritage. Our specific support of the NGV’s education programs benefit the design industry and communities across Victoria, Australia.
Compliance
With a local mindset and an international reach, HOW Group has achieved significant sustainable outcomes: supporting the economies, communities and collaborators on our doorstep, and operating at a variety of inventory scales to minimise freight, lead times, waste and harmful impacts on the environment.
Powered by our design expertise and manufacturing prowess, the HOW team holds the following accreditations:
- ISO 9001 - Quality Management Systems
- ISO 14001 - Environmental Management System
- ISO 45001 - Occupational Health & Safety Management System
- Product specific certifications such as AFRDI, Global GreenTag, GECA, and FSC.