Recover the traditional use of Boliche - Sapindus saponaria sp.

This project was initiated due to the search of finding an alternative to diminish the pollution of the marine and fresh waters caused by the detergents. It affects the waters of the developing countries as Peru where the wastewaters are spilt to the sea and rivers.

We are proud to develop an all-natural laundry soap that's free of perfumes, dyes, fillers, phosphates, chlorine and petroleum based products and it’s a low-cost detergent.

Our eco-friendly formula uses a resin extracted from the fruit of the plant known as Boliche (Sapindus saponaria sp.).

This plant has been domesticated by the ancient Peruvians and used for centuries; vestiges of his existence have thought in La Galgada (Archaeological site – Ancash, Peru) that it dates from 2662 to 2000 b.C

This resin is an active agent of the detergent which is able to work with less aggressive means and with high wash effectiveness.

Our formula does not contain harsh petroleum based detergents or synthetic perfumes; it is an ideal choice for baby clothes and people with sensitive skin.

Our laundry soap is made in small batches, yet the cost per load is comparable to conventional brands. The process also allows recycling the residues produced after the extraction of the resin. These residues are recycled like a granulated material which can be used in the preparation of earth blocks which are the traditional material of construction. In consequence the process of production allows saving energy and materials.

By buying our product, customers will not only support the environment, they will also benefit from a healthier life and increase the household income of people who come from rural communities. Using this detergent will therefore also have a positive impact on the housing environment and the health of these families.

The objective is to start a commercially successful company that will manufacture and sell a natural biodegradable detergent in Peru. The company expects to contribute to the reduction of poverty, the protection of the environment and the improvement of Peruvian’s households.

This project has 3 aims:
• This business model proposes to generate jobs to the families from rural communities.
• Launch to the market a biodegradable detergent which reduces the pollution of the fresh and marine waters caused by the detergents.
• To recover the traditional use of this native plant called Boliche (Sapindus saponaria sp.).

During the first year, product development was focussed on reducing the raw material and manufacturing costs. After having optimized the models, product development was focussed on developing and testing prototypes of packaging designs. The detergent is technically ready for commercial launch. However further product development is required.

To inform potential customers about the benefits of this detergent, we will launch a marketing campaign which will primarily target the household segment and focussed on women. The potential customers will be informed about the product through different channels. To target large customer groups, we plan to demonstrate the product in main grocery store formats: hypermarkets, supermarkets, hard discount and conveniences stores.

We want to use some indicators about the sustainable development impact of our business plan. We propose the following indicators:

• Total waste generated; this indicator was chosen because it gets to the heart of sustainability in a very practical, measurable way.
• Number of jobs created, we think that this company will generate employments for 50 families. After the second year, if the detergent is a commercial success also outside of Peru, our company will generate employment of up to 400 families in the first five years. This detergent will have a positive impact on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
• Net population movement of local (indigenous and non-indigenous) people away from rural lands and townships. This indicator shows the level of demographic shift from rural lands and townships. It will provide a surrogate measure of the potential loss of local knowledge. It is a key indicator in terms of the potential significance of the situation which it could represent.

This project benefits the community as the following ways:
• It is an alternative of generation of employments to promote the return of the people who migrated to the cities (urban life).
• It seeks to recover and to support the knowledge on the managing of this native plant and others. Equally it promotes the people's training that it will be the people in charge of the transmission and conservation of this knowledge.
• To learn on the importance of a sustainable development across this model of business.

And the environment:
• The process for the obtaining of this detergent reduces considerably the issue of residues.
• The recycling of the residues is used to improve the houses of the people due to the production of a traditional material of construction.
• Reduce the pollution of the fresh and marine waters caused by the detergents.

The strategic approach to achieving more sustainable use of natural resources should lead over time to improved resource efficiency, together with a reduction in the negative environmental impact of resource use, so that overall improvements in the environment go hand in hand with growth.

We want to measure our environmental achievements in terms of sustainability by indicators. These indicators must measure progress in efficiency and productivity in the use of natural resources, including energy and evaluate how negative environmental impacts have been decoupled from resource use. Finally, an overall indicator must measure progress in reducing the ecological stress of resource use by this business model.

Our product selection is geared to help the environment. When we convert the residues into earth blocks for instance, we are doing more than reducing landfill waste. We are also saving fuel and pollution that would normally be used and produced to transport waste to the landfill. Converting "waste to usable product" also employs more people which helps the local economy. Remanufacturing "waste" into new products is often cheaper than making products from virgin materials. Our model reflects our efforts to reduce reuse and recycle products into new material in such a way to reduce impact on the environment.

This project is a good example of improving business practices around the use of renewable resources with a positive environmental impact and produces substantive social benefits.

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