Bar Soaps

In 2013, CleanO2 Carbon Capture Technology founder Jaeson Cardiff was working as a plumber and HIVAC technician. Aware that his industry accounted for about 20 per cent of Canada’s carbon emissions, he began researching ways to limit the harm caused by natural-gas heating appliances.

This journey led Cardiff to create the world’s first soap made from carbon-capture technology. CleanO2 Soaps are inspired by the circular economy, a production model that involves reusing and recycling for as long as possible.

The carbon is captured through patented CarbinX units that gather gas from the flues of natural-gas heating boilers and furnaces in commercial buildings and sequester it before it can cause climate damage. The captured carbon takes the form of pearl ash, which is what gives the soap its silky feel. Even after the soap has been used, the carbon has been permanently gathered and cannot escape back into the atmosphere. The proceeds from the soap help offset additional research, development and deployment of CarbinX devices.

Judges praised the soap for its rich lather and lovely scent. While environmentalists and beauty-product lovers make up a large portion of CleanO2’s customer base, there has also been keen interest in the brand from a demographic you might not expect — those who work in the oil and gas industry. “They’re in the value chain and they’re looking to mitigate their carbon impact,” says CleanO2’s COO, Alistair Hazewinkel. “It’s a myth that Albertans don’t care about climate change.”

The CleanO2 team has plans to expand into creating other personal care products, as well as finding additional avenues for carbon capture.

In the meantime, you can look for their soaps at various Canadian Tire, Safeway and Sobeys stores.

$8 each
cleano2.ca