The ESG Era Begins: Yihang and JOS Build a Sustainability Framework
ESG is an investment philosophy and corporate evaluation standard focused on a company's environmental, social, and governance performance rather than its financial performance alone. As a member of the furniture industry, Yihang follows the national strategy. Upholding the philosophy of sustainable development, it treats ESG as a key lever for advancing and implementing the “dual carbon” strategy, taking on greater responsibility for society's harmonious development and driving shared prosperity for our employees, customers, and society.
Yihang puts ESG principles into practice through concrete action—not only starting with its own products, but also joining forces with other companies to leverage each other's strengths and jointly build a sustainable development system.
Eco-Friendly Recycling: Giving Old Furniture a Second Life
On February 16, 2023, Edward, Chairman of the Sustainable Development and Environment Committee of PHC in Singapore, Executive Director Gloria, and around 50 members of the R.I.S.E Alliance visited the JOS & Yihang brand office furniture showroom at 18 Robinson, where the 11th R.I.S.E Alliance quarterly meeting was grandly held.
In 2023, the global economy began to recover in full, and companies across Singapore were actively giving themselves a facelift. Renewal, however, means discarding the old: large quantities of existing office furniture were being thrown away as waste, causing enormous waste and polluting the environment in the process. In the course of taking on office furniture projects, JOS & Yihang watched vast amounts of usable office furniture—some as much as 80% like new—being disposed of, and as advocates of environmental protection they were deeply pained by it. The J.O.E Eco Alliance and the JOS & Yihang brand were determined to contribute to the eco-friendly recycling of old furniture.
In January 2023, under the guidance of the J.O.E Eco Alliance, the JOS & Yihang brand launched its first office furniture circular reuse project: the Great Eastern Insurance Group's old furniture recycling project. Recovered old office furniture was assessed and classified into categories A, B, and C, and given a second life through different channels—such as donating it to low-income organizations, or selling it in charity sales so that the furniture finds full value and returns to people's lives. All revenue raised was used to support environmental and charitable causes. The contributions made by the J.O.E Eco Alliance together with the JOS & Yihang brand in circular reuse have been highly recognized by the Singapore government.
In his speech, Chairman Edward fully affirmed the efforts and contributions the J.O.E Eco Alliance has long made to Singapore's environment, called on member organizations to learn from the Alliance's valuable environmental experience, and highly praised the JOS & Yihang brand's action of recycling and reusing old office furniture and its spirit of responsibility.
Mr. Phua Boon Huat, President of the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC), together with its Chairman, Executive Director, and other senior leadership—a delegation of six—will also visit the JOS & Yihang brand office furniture showroom on February 28, 2023 to hear the report on old furniture circular reuse, discuss and align on cooperation intentions for the circular furniture project, and implement the establishment of a sorting and recycling base together with a one-stop recycling certification system.
Formaldehyde-Free Offices: Powering the Industry's Low-Carbon Development
Beyond the old furniture eco-recycling project, Yihang's ESG development strategy also includes formaldehyde-free offices. By leveraging the synergy of its supply chain, Yihang calls on the office furniture industry to build healthy, comfortable office spaces so that working professionals can enjoy healthy office work.
Yihang joins companies such as Wanhua Chemical in advocating “healthy work, formaldehyde-free offices,” and, together with Covestro and multiple partners across the supply chain, focuses on “sustainable materials”—centering on the application of bio-based water-based coatings, biomass sponges, microfiber materials, furniture adhesives, and post-consumer recycled plastics in office furniture. This reduces the carbon footprint of Yihang's products, helps the office furniture industry develop at low carbon, and contributes to the “dual carbon” goals.
Sustainable development goals represent the transformative ideals and aspirations of an enterprise, a people, and a nation. Yihang's ESG development strategy also includes tree-planting programs and green factories. Going forward, Yihang will continue to deeply practice sustainable development, accelerate the environmental upgrading of the office furniture supply chain, and contribute its own wisdom, solutions, and strength to building a beautiful, clean planet.
