EAMES GOES GREEN
New materials and color options mark a sustainable milestone for Ray and Charles Eames’ mid-century staple.
Last week, MillerKnoll announced an exciting, sustainable shift for one of the most classic Herman Miller designs.
Herman Miller Reintroduces Iconic Eames Molded Plastic Chair, Now Made with 100% Recycled Plastic
(Zeeland, MI)—September 1, 2022: Since its introduction in 1950, Eames Shell Chairs have popped up in nearly every setting on the planet, from smalltown diners to the lobbies of five-star hotels. The chair’s playful curves are unmistakable and continued popularity has cemented it as a mid-century icon — and its story is about to get even better. The Shell Chair was first introduced in molded plastic in 2006, and now, Herman Miller’s entire Eames Molded Plastic Chair portfolio will be made using 100% post-industrial recycled plastic — the equivalent of approximately 122 tons of plastic per year and a 15% carbon reduction annually for the beloved product line.*
“Ray and Charles Eames embraced a spirit of continuous reinvention for the Molded Plastic Chair, especially in developing the use of sustainable materials with each iteration,” said Ben Watson, President, Herman Miller. “Herman Miller is honoring that design legacy with the introduction of an Eames Molded Plastic Chair made from 100% recycled plastic, and we will continue to challenge ourselves to pursue meaningful, responsible change.”
The new material formulation is not the only change awaiting the Eames Molded Plastic Chair portfolio. To celebrate the switch to sourcing 100% post-industrial recycled plastic, the brand is introducing a refreshed collection of available shell colors, which will include three of the previously offered colors (Black, White, and Red Orange) and nine new hues: Evergreen, Cocoa, Deep Yellow, Brick Red, Pale Blue, Medium Grey, Blue Green, Grey Green and Light Grey. The colors were specifically chosen to present designers and consumers with an updated palette that spans the basic color families with a current, cohesive sensibility. The modernized array of shades will bolster the Shell Chair’s distinctive ability to flawlessly incorporate itself into a space, regardless of whether the space is refined, relaxed or somewhere in between.
