Production Locations
Werfzeep produces all of its soaps in-house at their soap studio located on the Westerkade in Utrecht, the Netherlands. In addition to their studio, Werfzeep cultivates herbs in their own herb garden and forages in the nearby Wickenburgh forest for ingredients used in their soap recipes.
Working Conditions & Living Wages
The brand states that all soaps are handmade by a small, permanent team in their Utrecht studio. However, Werfzeep does not disclose information regarding wages, working conditions, or the social policies in place for its team. There is also no information available about any third-party audits or certifications related to labour practices.
Materials
Werfzeep uses the following materials:
- Certified organic, food-grade vegetable oils such as olive oil, almond oil, and argan oil
- Essential oils for fragrance
- Plant-based ingredients, many of which are grown or wild-harvested locally
The brand avoids the use of palm oil due to its environmental impact and chooses ingredients that are biodegradable and minimally processed.
Packaging
Werfzeep’s packaging is fully plastic-free. The soap bars are wrapped in recycled paper that is also recyclable. No additional information is given about the inks used or certifications of the packaging materials.
Water Usage & Chemicals
The soaps are made using a cold-process method, which preserves the integrity of the ingredients and uses less energy. The brand avoids synthetic perfumes, sulphates, dyes, and petrochemical additives. There is no detailed information available on water consumption during production or chemical management certifications.
Circular Product Design
Werfzeep’s solid soap bars are long-lasting and designed to reduce the need for plastic bottles. Ingredients are biodegradable, and the cold-process production method supports a low-waste manufacturing approach. The use of monomaterial packaging further enhances the recyclability of the product. The brand does not mention whether the products are repairable, nor does it offer a take-back programme for used packaging or products.
Circular Business Models
There is no evidence of additional circular services such as take-back schemes, repair services, or resale models. The focus is mainly on reducing single-use packaging and promoting long-term use through solid formats.
Distance & Complexity of the Supply Chain
- All production takes place in Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Some ingredients are locally grown or foraged
- Other ingredients such as avocado oil (Kenya), argan oil (Morocco), and bergamot (Italy) are sourced internationally
Werfzeep acknowledges the use of imported ingredients but provides no detailed information about supplier certifications or ethical sourcing policies.
Transportation
Products are manufactured and packed in-house, with local deliveries conducted via bicycle courier in some cases. For long-distance shipping, no information is provided on the mode of transport or emission reduction efforts.
Most of Werfzeep’s soaps are vegan. However, a few products (e.g. honey soap and honey shampoo) contain honey. The brand states that the honey is sourced from a local organic beekeeper. Werfzeep also claims that none of their products are tested on animals. There is no detailed animal welfare policy or certification (e.g. PETA, Leaping Bunny) mentioned.
Product Design
Werfzeep offers handmade solid soap bars with a timeless and natural aesthetic. No artificial dyes are used, and each product is unique due to the artisanal production process.
Slow Fashion Processes
The brand does not operate within fast consumption cycles. Soaps are cured for six weeks before sale, and no seasonal collections are launched. There is no information about whether Werfzeep participates in discounting or sales periods.
Transparency on Product
All ingredients are listed transparently on the product pages. The brand specifies which soaps are vegan and which contain honey.
Transparency on Processes
Werfzeep shares insights into their production methods on their website and has published a book that includes their soap recipes. However, no information is available about social or environmental reporting, cost breakdowns, or third-party verifications.
