Heller Introduces Fully Regenerative, Microplastic-Free Furniture

With Earth Day around the corner, Heller announced its latest initiative to help protect the planet—marking a big stride in sustainable design. As of April, 2025, most Heller furniture is being designed to disappear after use, becoming nutrient dense soil. And this isn’t the work of sorcery—it’s pure science.

Using patented enzyme technology made by Worry Free Plastics, Heller’s furniture and select accessories are now fully biodegradable, leaving no trace of microplastics. The cutting-edge technology ensures that Heller furniture maintains its signature performance standards, withstanding the elements indoors and out, while only breaking down in anaerobic environments like landfills.

“We started development about two years ago,” shares John Edelman, Heller president and CEO. “We had to develop a formula for each item and then test it.” The technology merges an organic enzyme by Worry Free Plastics with Heller’s proprietary polymer material during manufacturing, transforming the brand’s plastic into a material that microorganisms can completely consume within five years in end-of-life environments. “We are most excited to help the world be free of microplastics,” adds Edelman. “Doing well by doing good is the dream.”

As for what’s next, Heller plans to continue its efforts to better the planet, making a commitment to ensure all future designs are sustainable. “We have two super exciting new launches coming out in May,” Edelman hints, noting that these include a smart storage unit, designed by Bill Curry, and a striking stacking chair by Mario and Claudio Bellini. Needless to say the future of Heller is bright, and most certainly green.

Explore Heller’s Collection Of Regenerative Designs

Heller’s Striking Outdoor Seat Takes Inspiration from a Cookie

When Heller CEO and president John Edelman discovered Jumbo on Instagram, he was immediately struck by how much the New York studio’s designs embodied the essence of his brand. Founded in 1971, Heller has produced award-winning modern furniture by some of the world’s greatest talents, among them Frank Gehry, Massimo and Lella Vignelli, and Mario Bellini; Jumbo founders Justin Donnelly and Monling Lee now join that elite roster. The pair explain they have an abiding interest in “reductivism, whimsy, and gastronomy,” the latter passion influencing their Fortune chair, named for the iconic cookie and channeling its pinched-circle shape. Fully recyclable and U.S.-made using a high percentage of postconsumer-recycled plastic, the perch comes in six foodie hues: Oatmeal, Cookie, Olive, Tomato, Dark Cherry, and Licorice. Available exclusively at DWR. dwr.com; hellerfurniture.com

John Edelman Buys Heller, Solidifying His Return to the Furniture Industry

Design runs deep for John Edelman who hails from a family of makers (Andy Warhol even made appearances at his family’s home in Ridgefield, Connecticut). But Edelman’s innate business sense is what continuously shapes his career, his recent acquisition of furniture brand Heller being no exception.

“I love a brand that’s bigger than it’s business,” says Edelman. “I love working with great designers all over the world; I love bringing authentic modern design to people craving it and I knew this was the perfect thing for me.” As president and CEO, Edelman plans to establish an e-commerce platform for Heller while building its social media and digital presence. “I want to keep the business high-end and controlled,” he adds, noting that he aims to stay true to the spirit of creativity and authentic design that runs through the company’s DNA.

Edelman, who has long admired Heller, sided with the brand even at a time when its founder, Alan Heller, announced plans to sue Design Within Reach—a company Edelman had just joined in a leadership role—for producing copies of its work. “My first month at Design Within Reach I went to meet Alan and said ‘you’re right, we shouldn’t be copying work’ and we built a friendship,” recalls Edelman. “I’ve stood for authenticity my whole life.”

In his new role, Edelman plans to honor Alan Heller’s legacy whose widow, Barbara Bluestone, adds, “I’m delighted to welcome John Edelman as Heller’s new owner. I’m confident that John will carry on Alan’s unique, 50-year legacy of ‘good design at affordable prices’ while enriching the brand with fresh thinking and new design icons.” 

Edelman’s acquisition of Heller is in partnership with his longtime friend and entrepreneurial collaborator John McPhee and will be celebrated in New York City in May and Chicago at the Merchandise Mart in June, with a new location, Space 1123-A.