SUSTAINABLE S OUL
Meet Donagh Quigley, founder of The Handmade Soap Company, as he introduces ANAM, their most sustainable range to date.
“Our mission is to become the kindest body care brand in the world; kind to our people, planet and customers,” states Donagh Quigley, founder of e Handmade Soap Company. He and his wife Gemma founded the company in 2008, handcrafting products from their kitchen table in Co Meath. Now, the luxury brand o ers over 70 natural skin, hair and wellbeing products, but the growth hasn’t come at the cost of quality. Each ingredient is still hand-selected to ensure the product blends are high in e cacy.
“Our products combine 100 per cent natural, foraged ingredients with vegan formulas and sustainable packaging,” Donagh says. “Our formulas have never been in uenced by cost; we’ve always made the best product we could, then gone on to gure out if we could make money afterwards.”
Over the past two years, they’ve been working on developing their most sustainable range to date, ANAM. “With all-natural ingredients, it reinvents how we consume products from home,” Donagh explains.
“It’s packaged in beautifully designed dark glass bottles, which can be re lled by the world’s rst 100 per cent compostable pouch.”
How can consumers be confident in a product’s sustainable credentials? “Greenwashing is a huge global problem, particularly in the beauty industry.
At e Handmade Soap Company, we are sticking our heads above the parapet to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing processes and sustainable packaging. e best advice for consumers is to be aware of the leading industry accreditations. We are Ecocert COSMOS Natural accredited (which is the highest accreditation in Europe for sustainable products) and recognised by e Leaping Bunny Program and e Vegan Society.
What is he most proud of? “First and foremost, the team. We have created a world-class team – that gives me a lot of joy. en the products, and nally, all the great feedback we get from customers.”
Listening to Donagh, it’s easy to see how his brand prioritises kindness. He speaks with a rare joy and con dence that adds an authenticity to his words. It’s refreshing, and I nd myself invigorated by his passion and hopeful attitude.
“I stay positive because we can’t afford to be pessimistic,” he says.
“As humans, we have the power to x crises. e incentives have to be right, meaning survival over unfettered capitalism; and we are getting closer to that stage. I am very hopeful for the future.”
Coriander Seed, Geranium & Vetiver Wash, €24.95, and refill pouch, €11.95.
thehandmadesoapcompany.ie