Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Soap

Scanned March 2026 · cleaning · high confidence

Seventh Generation really shines here! They back up their claims with specific numbers and strong third-party certifications, which is fantastic to see. While being truly sustainable is a journey for everyone, they're clearly putting in genuine effort where it counts for a cleaning product.

How do the five signals break down?

Each signal is worth 20 points — the method is public at how we score.

What is on the label?

Primary claim: "Plant-based & biodegradable" — a claim, not a certification. The difference is the whole game: see the cert guide.

What the claims cover

• The formula is 97% plant-based, meaning fewer petroleum-derived chemicals.
• It's USDA Certified Biobased Product 97%, a strong third-party verification.
• The formula is readily biodegradable, confirmed by OECD 301 tests, so it breaks down naturally.
• Seventh Generation is a certified B Corp, showing a commitment to social and environmental performance beyond just profit.

What is still missing

• The full Scope 3 carbon footprint for this specific product isn't on the label. This is where most of a product's impact usually hides, coming from all the ingredients and their suppliers.
• Details about the energy used to manufacture the product (Scope 1 & 2 emissions) aren't on the label. Companies often omit this because it's complex to calculate and disclose for every single product.
• While the bottle is 100% post-consumer recycled plastic (which is great!), this specific claim focuses on the liquid, so the packaging impact isn't detailed here.

Where the footprint lives

Scope 1 — direct operations: Scope 1 covers the greenhouse gases a company directly releases, like from their own factories or company vehicles.

Scope 2 — purchased energy: Scope 2 is about the emissions from the electricity and other energy a company buys to power its operations.

Scope 3 — the supply chain: Scope 3 includes all the emissions from a company's supply chain, from growing ingredients to shipping products and how customers use and dispose of them. This is usually the biggest piece of the puzzle, often 70-90% of a product's total impact, and it's where companies often quietly look the other way.

Most of a product's emissions sit upstream in Scope 3 — the scope breakdown explains why that decides the score.

Smart swaps and tips

• Look for the USDA Certified Biobased label on other products; it's a great sign of plant-derived ingredients.
• When you see 'biodegradable,' check if they mention a specific test (like OECD 301) or environment (like 'readily biodegradable').
• Support brands that are B Corps; it's a holistic certification that looks at the whole business, not just one product.
• Always check a brand's website for more detailed sustainability reports and certifications.

Numbers from a scan of the real label, March 2026. Holding this product — or its shelf neighbor? Scan it and compare the five signals side by side. New to the method? Start with the rules of thumb.