Method Opens Chicago Facility

Method Products has officially opened the doors of its “South Side Soapbox” factory today in the Pullman Park district of Chicago. Designed by architects and sustainable design pioneers, William McDonough + Partners, the Soapbox is the first LEED-platinum certified factory in its industry, according to Method.

The 150,000-square-foot facility includes product manufacturing, bottle production, warehousing and distribution.

“This is a huge day for us and for sustainable manufacturing. The South Side Soapbox – a transformative facility in a neighborhood with exceptional history – is bringing a new standard of manufacturing to the world,” said Drew Fraser, global CEO of Method. “Business can and should be a powerful force for good and our factory represents the intersection of sustainability, innovation, flexibility and partnership.” 

Designed to use less energy while functioning with the highest levels of efficiency, half of the facility's annual electrical needs are produced by an on-site refurbished wind turbine and solar energy trees. Renewable energy credit purchase provides the balance for the facility to operate on 100% renewable energy in its first two years. Additional energy conservation features include a 1,520 square foot succulent green roof covering the entry walkway; light-reflecting concrete and rooftop; warehouse and distribution center skylights and a 120 gallon solar powered water heating system.

As part of the brand's commitment to sustainability, the Soapbox will use recycled and local materials whenever possible with at least 20 percent of materials inside the factory originating from within 500 miles of where the Soapbox stands. With a zero-landfill goal, almost everything entering the factory will be used in products, recycled or composted.

The facility also has a 75,000 square foot, state-of-the-art greenhouse facility that will produce more than one million pounds of fresh, sustainably grown, pesticide-free produce annually for the local Chicago retail and restaurant market and has no fence around its 22- acre factory site, providing public access to green space.

The facility will provide nearly 100 green manufacturing jobs for community members by the end of 2015, according to Method.