Cleaning and personal care products
Green cleaning company founded in 2001 in the USA. Products sold in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK and France. In 2012 Method was acquired by Europe's Ecover, creating the world's largest green cleaning company. In 2017 Method and Ecover were acquired by US household goods giant SC Johnson.
Company Ownership
Method Products Inc
USA
SC Johnson & Son Inc
owns 100% of Method Products Inc
USA
Household products manufacturer
Founded in USA by Samuel C. Johnson in 1886. One of the world's largest makers of consumer chemical products. Their products are sold in over 110 countries. Acquired green cleaning brands Method and Ecover in 2017.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Aug 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Method Products Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
Cruelty free and vegan company
This company makes or sells strictly vegan products, and has either signed PETA's statement of assurance or provided a statement verifying that they do not conduct or commission any animal tests.
Source: PETA
(2023)
Certified B Corporation
Certified B Corporations use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Corps meet comprehensive and transparent social and environmental performance standards; meet higher legal accountability standards; and build business constituency for good business.
Source: B Corporation
(2019)
Guide to Healthy Cleaning grade (B-F)
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning provides safety ratings for household cleaning products, with over 2,500 products rated from A (lowest concern) to F (highest concern). This company's score range is B to F, with over 90% of products scoring a C or worse.
Cradle to Cradle endorsement
Eight Method product ranges are certified by Cradle to Cradle, a multi-attribute eco-label that assesses a product's safety to humans and the environment and design for future life cycles.
Source: c2c
(2020)
GC3 member (Green Chemistry)
This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3
(2019)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
SC Johnson & Son Inc
Praise
Criticism
Information
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Excellent" (retrieved 18 Nov 2023).
Source: WAZA
(2023)
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP
(2023)
Green Power Partner
This company is listed on the EPA Green Power Partnership website (USA) as using renewable energy for 62% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the USA.
Source: EPA
(2023)
B grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of B.
Source: As You Sow
(2024)
100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign
(2021)
Supply chain practices in China
The Green Supply Chain Corporate Information Transparency Index (CITI) evaluates consumer-facing companies that have a sizeable supply chain in China. The evaluation uses government supervision data and public information to assess the environmental management of their supply chains in China. This company received a score of 6.58/100 (retrieved 24 Nov 2023).
Source: IPE
(2023)
1/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2024 and received a score of 1/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, USA) 'Companies That Do Test On Animals' list, signifying that they manufacture products that are tested on animals at some stage of development.
Source: PETA
(2022)
3.6% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2024 and is ranked #670/816, with a total score of 3.6/100.
25.1% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 25.1%.
Source: Forest 500
(2023)
Deceptive marketing
In 2021 this company agreed to pay US$2.25 million to settle a class action lawsuit that argued that Method products' claims of being non-toxic were false and misleading because the products have the capacity to harm humans or the environment. In addition to the monetary relief, SC Johnson has agreed the covered Method products will no longer be advertised as "non-toxic".
Source: Top Class Actions
(2021)
Use of Galaxolide
Womens Voices is calling on this company to stop the use of Galaxolide, a toxic chemical that does not break down easily in the environment, builds up over time, and is highly toxic to fish and other aquatic creatures. SC Johnson is one of just six manufacturers in the United States named by the EPA that is importing and using Galaxolide.
Guide to Healthy Cleaning grade (B-F)
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning provides safety ratings for household cleaning products, with over 2,500 products rated from A (lowest concern) to F (highest concern). This company's score range is B to F, with over 87% of products scoring a D or F.
Ingredients disclosure
In 2014 this company announced that it will become the first mainstream consumer product company to list all fragrance ingredients. Before this announcement the company was already ahead of the pack on ingredients disclosure with its website www.WhatsInsideSCJohnson.com
Mum-friendly employer
This company was named in Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.
Source: Seramount
(2022)
GC3 member (Green Chemistry)
This company is a member of the Green Chemistry and Commerce Council (GC3), a business-to-business forum that advances the application of green chemistry and design for environment across supply chains. It provides an open forum for cross-sectoral collaboration to share information and experiences about the challenges to and opportunities for safer chemicals and products.
Source: GC3
(2019)
Sustainability Consortium member
This company is a member of The Sustainability Consortium, an organization of diverse global participants that work collaboratively to build a scientific foundation that drives innovation to improve consumer product sustainability. They develop transparent methodologies, tools, and strategies to drive a new generation of products and supply networks that address environmental, social, and economic imperatives.
Source: Sustainability Consortium
(2019)
Plastics Commitment signatory
This company is a signatory to the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, whose goal is to eliminate plastic pollution at its source.
Source: New Plastics Economy
(2022)
How2Recycle member
This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.
Source: How2Recycle
(2023)
Ellen MacArthur Foundation strategic partner
This company is a strategic partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, whose stated mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation works with business, government and academia to build a framework for an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design.
CDP Forests score of C
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.
Source: CDP
(2023)
CDP Water Security score of C
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of C.
Source: CDP
(2023)
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
Source: Open Secrets
(2020)
Company Details
Type:
Private Company
Revenue:
33.5 million USD
(2006)
Employees:
115
(2009)
Contact Details
Products / Brands
Method
method
Dishwashing Detergent
method
Multi-Purpose Cleaners
method
Bathroom Cleaners
method
Hand Wash/Sanitiser