{"id":6955,"date":"2015-12-09T22:54:05","date_gmt":"2015-12-10T03:54:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digital.hbs.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/method-soap-bringing-green-and-the-rest-of-the-color-spectrum-to-the-masses\/"},"modified":"2015-12-09T22:54:05","modified_gmt":"2015-12-10T03:54:05","slug":"method-soap-bringing-green-and-the-rest-of-the-color-spectrum-to-the-masses","status":"publish","type":"hck-submission","link":"https:\/\/d3.harvard.edu\/platform-rctom\/submission\/method-soap-bringing-green-and-the-rest-of-the-color-spectrum-to-the-masses\/","title":{"rendered":"Method Soap: Bringing Green (and the Rest of the Color Spectrum) to the Masses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Founded in 2001, Method Products approached the cleaning products market with a fresh perspective, pairing creative and fun design, while maintaining a mission and commitment to \u201cgreen\u201d cleaning materials that are accessible and appealing to the general population. Method\u00a0grew from $34M in revenue in 2005 to $100M in 2012 and are now estimated at revenues north of $300M.[1]<\/a> Method\u2019s success, borne out of the efficacy of its business and operational alignment, has spawned a number of competitors and imitators from new and well-established brands alike.<\/p>\n

Innovative Design & Cleaning Products?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Method focused heavily on the design and aesthetic of its product to make it stand out and serve as a visual representation of the company\u2019s creativity and innovation.[2]<\/a>\u00a0Method hand soap bottles are uniquely pear shaped, and customers can choose from a variety of eye-catching colors and fun\u00a0scents. Customers are drawn in, and\u00a0they may choose to dive deeper and discover Method\u2019s commitment to environmental sustainability.\"Method-BTC-Header-410\"<\/a><\/p>\n

First, Method is transparent about the ingredients used in its formulation, only using nontoxic and fully biodegradable materials.[3]<\/a> This is in contrast to many traditional cleaning agents that have known and unknown toxic impacts if inhaled or exposed to the skin, and can persist in local water tables even after they are rinsed away. \u00a0More concentrated formulas in areas like laundry detergent reduce packaging material needs. In addition, Method\u2019s bottles are a closed loop system, sourcing from 100% recycled plastic and also subsequently recyclable.[4]<\/a><\/p>\n

These designs\u00a0allow Method to show that positive environmental benefit doesn\u2019t translate to substandard cleaning products or a less mainstream, hemp-filled lifestyle. These choices directly support Method’s value proposition of fun, accessibility, and environmental benefit for the customer.<\/p>\n

Supply Chain Alignment<\/strong><\/p>\n

In addition to the deliberate environmental choices for the product itself, Method cascaded the principals of its core strategy through\u00a0its supply chain, resulting in a tightly coordinated and highly aligned production and distribution process.<\/p>\n

Looking more closely at\u00a0product manufacturing, Method\u00a0announced earlier this year the opening of a new facility in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago. The factory will be powered in part by renewable energy (solar panels on the roof), will be equipped with energy efficient equipment, and will be LEED platinum certified, the highest rating possible. The plastics supplier for the factory is also co-located, reducing operational inefficiencies, shipping cost, and emissions associated with transport. [5]<\/a><\/p>\n