Industry & Production - Method Home

Chicago Soap Factory aims towards environmental-friendly recycling goals

Method Home works towards achieving a zero landfill goal and streamlines their waste handling with two B30 Wide balers from Bramidan.

Challenges

  • stop No waste fragment sent to landfill
  • stop Large quantities of cardboard and PET
  • stop Unneccessary transportation of lightweight materials

Machines chosen

Vertical baler model B30 Wide

Filling opening: 1525 x 560 mm

Bale weight: 375-500 kg - cardboard

Benefits

  • done Sorting directly at the waste
  • done Fewer pickups
  • done Reduced environmental footprint

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Working towards a zero landfill goal

Method Home is known for their environmentally-friendly household cleaning products, but their dedication to resource preservation throughout the entire production process is not as widely recognized. Their factory, called the Soapbox, is situated on Chicago's South side, and the exterior is covered in an array of brightly colored awnings that remind you of their colorful soap bottles.

The most fascinating features on the outside of their facility are the massive 70 meter high wind turbine and solar panels, which provide clean energy for manufacturing, bottling, and distribution. Inside the facility, Method continues with their green business intentions, and recently they purchased two B30 Wide balers from Bramidan to support their recycling goals.

LEED-Platinum certified

Method's Soapbox holds an impressive LEED-Platinum certified status. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is a green building certification program. We recently spoke with Austin Simpson, Method’s Environment Health and Safety lead for the Soapbox, about the positive effect that Bramidan's two vertical balers had on their facility.

Employee from Method Home operates B30 Wide Bramidan baler

Working towards a zero landfill goal

Method’s first factory, the South Side Soapbox, aims to achieve the highest levels of sustainability. The Soapbox is the only LEED-Platinum certified facility in the industry, houses the world’s largest rooftop greenhouse, is powered by a 70 meter tall wind turbine and provides much needed local jobs. Along with these ambitions, Method set a goal to send zero waste to the landfill. To help achieve its zero landfill goal, Method purchased two Bramidan B30 Wide balers. On the factory floor, Method generates large quantities of cardboard and PET bottles. Having balers on-site makes storing and transporting recyclables much more efficient.

They used to fill gaylords with waste

Previously, Method filled gaylords with cardboard waste and PET bottles and shipped them by truck. This process was very inefficient because they were shipping very bulky but lightweight truckloads. At the same time this was not the right way of doing things for an environmentally-friendly company.

Vertical balers streamlined their waste handling

The balers have proved to be a very beneficial addition to the Soapbox. Method has seen a reduction in the amount of space required for their recycling area and the balers have created a much easier and streamlined way to move recyclables.

Disposal costs reduced with two B30 Wide balers

Method’s goal is never to profit from their recycling operations. “When we were shipping practically empty trailers there were multiple trips involved, usually 2-3 per week. Now we can transport the same amount of materials once a week. This reduced direct collection costs but also had an environmental benefit due to less trucks on the road.”

We used to ship almost empty trailers with waste collections 2-3 times per week. Now we are able to transport the same amount of waste just once a week. This has not only reduced direct costs but it also has an environmental benefit due to less trucks on the road.

— Austin Simpson, Environmental Health and Safety Lead

Facts about:

Method Home

Method Home is a manufacturer of eco-friendly soaps and home-cleaning products. Their headquarters are located in San Francisco, California and their production is in Chicago, Illinois.

Method Home logo

Method Home logo

Facts about:

Method Home

Method Home is a manufacturer of eco-friendly soaps and home-cleaning products. Their headquarters are located in San Francisco, California and their production is in Chicago, Illinois.

If you have any questions, please contact us

phone +353 1 890 0660
mail sales@bramidan.ie


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