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.
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.
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
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