Ecover has been doing green cleaning since 1979, long before it was trendy. Its formulas and packaging are innovative, but ownership and ingredient sourcing add some asterisks to the eco halo.
- Plant-based, biodegradable formulas since 1979, a true pioneer
- Bottles are 75% sugarcane-derived PlantPlastic + 25% recycled, fully recyclable
- 700+ UK refill stations (Refillution) for true package reuse
- Widely available across Europe and beyond
- Owned by SC Johnson since 2017, no longer independent
- Uses palm-derived ingredients (sustainability of palm is contested)
- Refill network is concentrated in the UK/Europe, less so in the US
- Still primarily plastic bottles, even if plant-based
Related: compare with Method (also SC Johnson-owned) and see the best PVA-free laundry detergents.
What Is Ecover?
Ecover is a Belgian cleaning brand founded in 1979, one of the original plant-based, phosphate-free cleaning companies. It makes laundry, dish, and surface cleaners and is now owned by SC Johnson (the same 2017 acquisition that included Method).
Packaging and Refills
Ecover’s bottles are made from 75% PlantPlastic (derived from sugarcane rather than petroleum) plus 25% post-consumer recycled plastic, and are fully recyclable. In the UK it runs “Refillution,” a network of 700+ refill stations where you bring your bottle back to refill, circular, though largely a European benefit.
Ingredients and the Trade-Offs
Formulas are plant-based and biodegradable, drawing on corn sugars and plant oils. Two things to flag: some ingredients are palm-derived (a contested crop for deforestation), and like Method, Ecover now sits inside SC Johnson rather than operating as an independent mission-led company. It’s a solid, accessible green choice, just not the most independent or plastic-free.
The pioneer that mainstreamed green cleaning
Ecover was founded in Belgium in 1979 and was selling phosphate-free detergent years before most governments restricted phosphates at all. In 1992 it built what it called an ecological factory, green roof and all, when sustainable manufacturing was still a curiosity. Much of what the entire category does today, Ecover did first.
That history shows up in distribution too. In the UK and Europe, Ecover refill stations are a fixture of zero-waste shops: bring the old bottle back, fill it, skip the new plastic entirely. It remains one of the most practical refill networks any cleaning brand operates.
Same parent as Method
Ecover and Method merged under the People Against Dirty umbrella, and SC Johnson bought the whole group in 2017. The same fine print applies to both brands: B Corp status gone, formulas and factories largely intact, accountability now internal to a private conglomerate.
Between the two siblings, Ecover keeps a slightly stronger sustainability identity thanks to the refill infrastructure and the longer track record. Where it sits against the wider field is in our cleaning products guide.
The Verdict: Is Ecover Sustainable?
Ecover is a long-standing plant-based cleaning pioneer with innovative sugarcane-plastic bottles and refill stations, but SC Johnson ownership and reliance on palm-derived ingredients keep it from the very top tier.
Related: our best non-toxic cleaning products ranks the brands we trust most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns Ecover?
Ecover has been owned by SC Johnson since 2017, acquired in the same deal as Method. It continues under its own brand within SC Johnson’s portfolio.
Are Ecover bottles recyclable?
Yes. Ecover bottles are made from 75% sugarcane-based PlantPlastic and 25% post-consumer recycled plastic, and are fully recyclable. In the UK you can also refill them at 700+ Refillution stations.
Is Ecover non-toxic?
Ecover’s formulas are plant-based, biodegradable, and phosphate-free, avoiding many harsh chemicals. Some ingredients are palm-derived, which is an environmental rather than a toxicity concern.
Is Ecover actually sustainable?
It’s a credible, accessible green choice with innovative plant-based packaging and refills, but SC Johnson ownership, palm-oil use, and a still-plastic bottle format keep it a step below the most rigorous plastic-free brands.
Are Ecover and Method owned by the same company?
Yes. The two brands merged under People Against Dirty, and SC Johnson acquired the group in 2017, so both now share the same corporate parent.
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Sources & Further Reading
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