Turning Surplus into Sustainable Suds

At The Upcycled Soap Company, we’re on a mission to prove that yesterday’s “waste” can become today’s everyday luxury. Our Upcycling Method brings overlooked ingredients from local breweries, wineries, coffee roasters, and farms back to life in the form of high-quality, eco-conscious soap.

Where Our Ingredients Come From

We partner with local businesses that share our vision for reducing waste and rethinking resources. Whether it’s over-fermented beer, surplus wine, fruit and veggie scraps, or used coffee grounds, we collect these materials before they head to the landfill. Our partners are proud to be part of a circular economy where nothing is wasted—just reimagined.

How We Turn Leftovers Into Soap

🧼 1. Collection & Collaboration

We collect ingredients on a routine basis, building ongoing relationships with brewers, winemakers, farmers, and roasters. These aren’t one-off donations—they’re partnerships built on shared values and a shared mission to minimise waste.

🧽 2. Cleaning & Testing

Every batch of reclaimed material undergoes thorough cleaning and evaluation. We screen for contaminants and ensure the quality and safety of every ingredient before it's used in our soap. No compromises, ever.

🧪 3. Cold Process Soapmaking

We use the traditional cold process method, blending a lye solution with a base of ethically sourced oils. This method is slow and low-energy, but worth the wait—it preserves the natural properties of the ingredients and produces a gentle, long-lasting bar of soap.

🌿 4. Integrating Upcycled Ingredients

• Beer, Wine, Fruits & Veggies: We often replace some—or all—of the water in our lye solution with over-fermented beer, leftover wine, or fruit and veggie purées. These liquids add subtle nutrients and character to the final bar. Sometimes, we also infuse them into the oils before lye is added.
• Coffee Grounds: Once our soap batter reaches emulsion (also called “trace”), we stir in dried, cleaned coffee grounds for gentle exfoliation. This ensures even distribution and a satisfying scrub.

🌸 5. Scenting, Pouring & Curing

We blend each batch with a mix of pure essential oils and/or specially selected fragrance oils to create distinctive scents. After pouring the soap into molds, each loaf is hand-cut and cured for several weeks. This not only allows the scent to fully develop—it ensures the bar hardens properly and lasts longer with care.

Why Our Upcycling Method Matters

• ♻️ Reduces Waste: We divert valuable, usable materials from the waste stream and give them new purpose.
• 🌏 Protects the Planet: By sourcing locally and reusing what already exists, we lower our carbon footprint and reduce our reliance on virgin materials.
• 🧡 Builds Community: Our partnerships keep money in the local economy and foster collaboration across industries.
• ✨ Delivers Quality & Creativity: No two batches are exactly alike—each one is a blend of reclaimed ingredients, creativity, and care.

From over-fermented beer to surplus citrus and spent coffee, every bar we make is proof that life’s leftovers can become something extraordinary. When you choose The Upcycled Soap Company, you're helping us rewrite the story of waste—one lather-filled chapter at a time.