S.C. Johnson & Son

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S.C. Johnson & Son Sustainability Actions

Renewable electricity use in the US

The company has been listed by the US EPA Green Power Partnership as using renewable energy for 62% of its organisation-wide electricity use in the United States. This means a large share of its power came from cleaner electricity sources rather than fossil fuels. The listing is a third-party recognition, not just a self-claim, and it suggests the company has already made progress on operational energy use.

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Palm oil sourcing rated excellent

A palm oil tracking tool run by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums rated the company “Excellent” for palm oil. That rating looks at whether a company uses certified sustainable palm oil, commits to buying it, takes action on the ground, and belongs to the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, a group that sets rules for more responsible palm oil). This points to active work on a major deforestation risk.

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Plastic packaging score of B

As You Sow gave the company a B in its 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard. That scorecard checks six areas: recyclability, reduction, recycled content, recovery, reuse, and producer responsibility. A B suggests the company has made some progress on plastic packaging, but still has room to improve across the full packaging system.

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CDP climate and water scores

The company received a B for climate change and a B- for water security from CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project, a nonprofit that scores companies on environmental disclosure and management). These scores suggest it reports some data and has some systems in place for emissions and water, but it is not among the strongest performers in either area.

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Public climate targets in place

DitchCarbon says the company has near-term Science Based Targets initiative commitments and lists a 2030 target to cut total greenhouse gas emissions by 62% from a 2019 baseline, plus a 2040 target to cut Scope 3 intensity by 50%. Scope 3 means emissions from the wider supply chain, such as bought goods and transport. These are future goals, but they show the company has already set formal climate plans.

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Product reformulation and R&D

A third-party article says the company has invested in cleaner product formulas and has reduced volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, in products by 90% since 2010. VOCs are chemicals that can evaporate into the air and affect indoor air quality. The same source says the company has also invested heavily in research and development for cleaner formulations.

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Acquired eco-focused brands

The company acquired Method and Ecover in 2017, according to third-party coverage. Both brands are known for household cleaning products with a stronger environmental image than many mainstream cleaners. The acquisition suggests the company has already expanded into more sustainability-focused product lines.

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Settle­ment over non-toxic claims

In 2021, the company agreed to pay US$2.25 million to settle a class action tied to Method products. The case argued that “non-toxic” claims were misleading. As part of the settlement, the covered Method products were no longer allowed to be advertised as non-toxic. This is a past legal action related to sustainability-style marketing claims.

Animal testing criticism

PETA has listed the company among firms that test on animals at some stage of product development. This is a criticism rather than a company claim, and it matters for consumers who care about animal welfare in household and personal care products.

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