Project Iffat is an innovative initiative aimed at tackling waste management, enhancing public health, and empowering marginalised communities. By upcycling barely used soap bars from hotels, we repurpose these materials into high-quality soaps that are then sold at affordable prices in low-income areas. The mission of Project Iffat is threefold:
To date, Project Iffat has successfully recycled over 25,000 kg of waste and conserved more than 1,000 litres of water, effectively establishing a circular ecosystem that not only benefits the environment but also fosters community development.
The soaps produced through Project Iffat are uniquely packaged in reusable jute pouches and enriched with Vitamin E and essential oils, which elevate their quality and appeal. The soaps have received certification from Arbro Labs, ensuring that they meet high safety and quality standards. Currently, we offer three exquisite fragrances: rose, lavender and lemongrass each available in various shapes and sizes to cater to different consumer preferences.
Our pricing strategy is grounded in differential pricing, allowing us to make these essential hygiene products accessible to low-income families while ensuring the sustainability of our operations.
The soaps are crafted by a group of resilient women from Burari, Delhi, who are affected by HIV/AIDS. We partnered with the Navjeevan Seva Mandal NGO to recruit these women. Additionally, we have collaborated with the Kraftivity Training Centre to provide specialised training in the melt-and-pour soap-making process to four key beneficiaries: Bimla, Aruna, Mariam and Durga Didi. This empowerment initiative helps them gain financial independence and contribute meaningfully to their households and community.
Project Iffat has built strategic partnerships with prominent hotels, including Crowne Plaza, Ramada and The Park, which have generously supplied us with their barely used soap bars. Currently, we have established a collaboration with Andaz by Hyatt Regency, Delhi, ensuring a steady supply of soap and reinforcing our mission to reduce waste and empower women.
Project Iffat is aligned with 10 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, addressing critical areas such as gender equality, good health and well-being, clean water and sanitation, responsible consumption and production, etc. Through our efforts, we contribute to a more sustainable future while promoting social equity.
Since October 2024, our partnership with Andaz by Hyatt has already led to the collection of over 90 kg of soap, diverting 70 kg of waste from landfills. This effort has resulted in the creation of more than 700 new handcrafted soap bars, each sold or donated with a purposeful impact.
Moreover, our outreach includes 9 campus stalls across institutions such as Jesus and Mary College, Bharati Vidyapeeth, TERI, IIT Delhi, IIIT Delhi, and Pathways Early Years, where we sold 624 bars and raised ₹54,820, all of which has been reinvested into the mission.
Through our AfrAIDnomore campaign on Milaap, we successfully raised over ₹2,25,000, providing essential financial resources to expand our operations and impact.
Project Iffat has touched the lives of over 1.75 million individuals, our community has grown into a network of 93 passionate members, and we are continuously inspiring new students to join our cause, with 277 new students engaged in our activities. We have conducted 16+ field visits to schools, NGOs, and local communities, each engagement raising awareness and fostering a deeper connection with our mission.
The project’s digital outreach has recorded an impressive 1.67 million impressions, allowing our message to resonate and reach a broader audience.
Over the years, Project Iffat has achieved several remarkable milestones, including:
Project Iffat continues to evolve and expand, aiming for greater sustainability and outreach to fulfil its mission of creating a meaningful impact in society.
