Come to the deodorant factory with us

When deciding where to make our deodorant, we had to ensure the factory had top-notch eco-credentials. After extensive searching, we partnered with two factories that align with our sustainability values.

Our operations team visited one of the factories to learn more about the production process and the steps taken to make it as eco-friendly as possible.

Let's find out more about the factory

When you arrive at the factory, the first thing you'll notice is that the entire roof is covered in solar panels. Sustainability was a priority from the very beginning. Producing cosmetics can be energy-intensive, but this factory has enough solar power to run all its machines.

It doesn't stop there — the manufacturing methods are water-free. This means Wild is created using processes that don't add water at any stage. We chose to produce in this way not only to avoid wasting water, but also to keep our formula as natural as possible, reducing the need for additional preservatives. Producing without water plays a significant role in the sustainability of our production.

After agriculture, industry is the second-largest user of freshwater globally. In the United States alone, industrial water use amounts to around 6 billion litres every single day. Industrial water consumption is also a major contributor to water pollution, so creating Wild using water-free methods is a big step towards protecting our planet.

How is the deodorant made?

In the factory the deodorant cooks (if we can call them that) precisely weigh out all the quantities of each ingredient a little bit of coconut oil, a drop of shea butter, and a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. This recipe is a science and has been perfected over time.

The deodorant is created using a heating and cooling method to avoid the use of water, starting with mixing all the ingredients in a big, heated pot. This process alone takes almost a day. Once the ingredients are thoroughly mixed into a smooth mass, the pot is taken to the filling machine, where the perfected formula is poured into the packaging.

At this stage, all the empty refills are placed on a production line and individually filled. After the refill or mini is filled, it passes through a cooling tunnel. Once cooled, it is collected, tested for quality, and prepared for shipment to Wild.

All in all, it takes 32 hours to make the deodorant — from mixing the ingredients to the beautiful finished product.

What are the processes put in place to ensure the factory is sustainable?

The factory is covered with solar panels, which power all of the machinery. All products are made with natural ingredients and are free from water. We also use recyclable, recycled, or compostable packaging, and even leftover materials like oils or grease are collected for re-use.

In addition, the factory places a strong focus on social sustainability. As Mark himself puts it, "there's no Planet B, and we need to take care of our resources and each other." We are committed not just to sustainable manufacturing and production practices but also to supporting social sustainability for the people who help create Wild deodorants.

The factory works closely with a local organisation which helps people who face barriers to employment reintegrate into the workforce, providing valuable job opportunities to individuals who may otherwise have limited access to work.

What's next for the factory?

Since the factory uses a heating and cooling system to create the deodorant, they are exploring the option of using waste energy from the cooling process for heating, and vice versa. This is something they aim to optimise because, despite using solar power, it is still important to save as much energy as possible.