method is one of the first customers to use Planet Metrics recently unveiled Rapid Carbon Modeling (RCM) technology to measure and track the carbon footprint of their operations. We asked Adam Lowry, the co-founder and chief greenskeeper of method, to give us some insight into the benefits of using the RCM software.
COD: Every person we talk to LOVES method – I use your products everyday. Your brand has won the hearts and adoration of a big community. How to you think your cradle-to-cradle philosophy has helped establish the method brand?
Adam: For method, there is an important difference between sustainability as an aspect of our products’ quality, and sustainability as a brand position. For us, sustainability is simply about product quality. Our cradle to cradle philosophy drives every product development decision and, in fact, how we design the organization itself. When you buy a method product, it’s just part of what you get.
The brand is about more than just sustainability. It’s about design, performance, fragrance; the very best you can buy to enhance your home. The brand has gained notoriety because it’s unique, it’s fun, it’s irreverent, and the product delivers, on both performance and sustainability. So in that way, the cradle to cradle philosophy has helped establish the brand by allowing people to know that it’s an authentic part of who we are and what we do.
COD: How did method use Rapid Carbon Modeling (RCM) technology and what next steps were learned in terms of reducing your overall footprint?
Adam: Current methodologies allow a business to measure its Scope I & II emissions relatively accurately. And method does that. But we know that Scope III emissions are often a large part of the overall footprint mix, so we have been using the Planet Metrics software to quantify those further upstream impacts. It has given us a very clear picture about where our impacts really are, and it has revealed some surprising insights on where we should focus our carbon footprint reduction efforts.
COD: How do you see the ROI of the technology working out in the long-haul?
Adam: We see the technology working very well down the road. We can already see many areas in which the technology has uncovered not-before-seen embedded energy costs, or costs that could rise precipitously when we have a carbon cap and trade system in the US. Given the long lead time nature of supply chain changes, this insight is allowing us to take actions today that will save us money tomorrow.
COD: RCM technology helps companies increase efficiency and manage resource consumption, but it is very difficult to entirely eliminate the carbon footprint generated by business activities. What is method’s view on carbon offsets role in mitigating environmental impact?
Adam: method’s carbon strategy is:
a) reduce first
b) produce our own energy second
c) offset all the rest
So offsets are a critical part of the mix, because you can’t eliminate your carbon footprint altogether today, or any time in the near future. And we want to be as climate neutral as we possibly can be. We have created an innovative offset program within our supply chain to spur further upstream reductions. Here’s how it works: we pay forward our offsets for 2 years, and if in that time one of our vendors makes a verified emissions reduction, we will write them a check for the amount of carbon emissions avoided equal to the amount we paid to offset it. So now, I can walk into my vendors’ buildings and not only ask them to make reductions, but pay them to do it.
COD: You guys share some great content online and really make terrific products. Anything exciting coming down the road that you want to share?
Adam: Keep your eyes peeled for a revolutionary household product that will turn an entire category on its head.
Visit method online at methodhome.com/
