Piss Soap is a deviant and regenerative soap entirely made out of human activity wastes. Piss Soap challenges our understanding of the binary of dirtiness and cleanliness.
Define the problem/need you are solving or addressing with your project. How does it address the Open Call criteria, such as environmental impact, social engagement, circularity, user experience, resource efficiency, and community-driven solutions?
Piss Soap tackles the intersection of waste management, sustainability, and social engagement by transforming human activity wastes—urine, used cooking oil, and wood ashes—into a functional, eco-friendly product: soap. This project directly addresses environmental impact by repurposing nitrogen-rich urine, reducing water pollution and the carbon footprint of conventional soap production. It fosters circularity by highlighting how waste can re-enter the product life cycle in meaningful ways. Social engagement is core, as workshops and community events demystify the science behind the process, sparking conversations about taboo topics like bodily waste and sustainability. The project enhances user experience by offering a product that is both useful and thought-provoking. Resource efficiency is achieved by utilizing abundant, overlooked materials. Ultimately, Piss Soap builds a community-driven solution by inviting collaboration and participation, challenging perceptions of waste, and inspiring creative sustainability practices.
Please describe your project, reflecting on the concept, inspiration, materials, technical aspects, methods and process(es).
Piss Soap is an experimental project that reclaims human urine as a raw material for soap production, blending science, sustainability, and social commentary. Inspired by historical practices—where urine was once used for cleaning due to its ammonia content—the project challenges modern taboos around bodily waste. The process involves collecting urine, extracting ammonia through natural fermentation, and combining it with discarded cooking oils to create a safe, functional soap. Technically, it explores saponification using alternative alkalines, pushing the boundaries of material innovation. The project embraces circular design by transforming a waste product into something purposeful while encouraging public participation through workshops and open-source methods. By making the process transparent and interactive, Piss Soap sparks dialogue about resourcefulness, sustainability, and the hidden value in what society deems “waste,” blurring the lines between art, science, and environmental activism.
What do you think makes your project innovative compared to the existing efforts and ideas in the field it addresses?
Piss Soap stands out by redefining waste as a valuable resource, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and public engagement. Unlike conventional eco-projects that often focus on recycling plastics or organic composting, this project innovates by harnessing human urine—an abundant yet stigmatized material—as a key ingredient in soap production. It reimagines ancient practices through a modern lens while regenerating wastes from the urban landscape. The project’s uniqueness lies not only in its material innovation but also in its radical universality and community involvement: through workshops, open-source recipes, and public discussions, Piss Soap turns an individual biological process into a collective, solution-oriented political act. By addressing both environmental impact and social taboos, it transforms sustainability from a passive practice into an interactive experience—challenging perceptions of hygiene, waste, and circularity in a bold, provocative, and deeply creative way.
Does it impact or reflect young people need(s) and how?
Piss Soap reflects young people’s needs by challenging norms and promoting self-expression through environmental practices. It resonates with those seeking authenticity and rebellion against traditional beauty standards. Young people today value individuality, eco-consciousness, and boldness—all of which Piss Soap embodies by turning an unexpected concept into a statement piece. It sparks conversation, encourages body positivity, and highlights the importance of sustainable, cruelty-free products. By pushing boundaries, Piss Soap empowers youth to embrace their quirks and question societal expectations.
