Probiotic soap keep rivers clean in Peru

The startup claims the newly developed probiotic technology cleans sewage and chemicals left in water ways from conventional laundry soaps

Spotted: Peruvian mineral water brand Andea, alongside the creative agency Fahrenheit DDB, have formulated a laundry soap that helps to keep rivers clean by releasing microorganisms after it has been used to wash clothing. 

Andea found a microorganism with a probiotic function that feeds on water pollutants. It does so by reducing the levels of nitrate and ammonia, which are responsible for spreading bacteria that affect humans. These microorganisms are freed when the bar of soap is used, attaching to the rocks and river weeds and staying there even after the washing ritual.

According to Andea, water samples were taken before and after the AWA soap was used indicated that water quality improved by up to 75 per cent. The soaps will be sold through the newly founded startup, Cirsys.

After a pilot project to test the soap, the partners now hope to convince soap manufacturers to incorporate the technology: “Now that we have confirmed its effectiveness, our goal is to transfer the rights of the formula to a major soap manufacturer, or even government social programs, so it can be available to as many people it can reach, at an affordable price,” says Ricardo Chadwick, partner and creative director at the creative agency Fahrenheit DDB

There is a lot of potential for the project, especially if companies like P&G or Unilever spread it across Latin America, Africa, and Asia — three continents where washing clothes at the riverbanks are still common practice. 

Washing clothes in rivers can damage the ecosystems and make the water undrinkable. A new soap does the opposite—using probiotics to eliminate pollution.

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