Sustainability first

Inspired by his own plight: George Greer, founder of Project Harmless, was struggling to find a suitable soap in London because the hard water was drying and irritating his skin. The options available were either of poor quality, contained palm oil or were laced with harsh chemicals. Searching for an alternative, he developed a skin-friendly soap that cleans effectively and is free of synthetic fragrances – in line with the eco start-up’s core mission of sustainability.  

Founded with funding from the British Business Bank’s start-up loan scheme, the Edinburgh-based company is setting new standards with the launch of its Harmless Apothecary cosmetics range. In addition to its biodegradable dog waste bags and fashion accessories made from scraps of fabric, Project Harmless now offers a range of eco-friendly soaps, lip balms and hand creams. The company is also preparing to launch a collection of shampoo bars, including bars specially designed for dogs.

After months of testing and refinement, the premium cosmetics range is made from organic essential oils and British grown botanicals, including Scottish lavender, marsh myrtle and English marigold – ingredients known for their medicinal and rejuvenating properties. Greer explains: “We decided on a blend of olive oil, castor oil and shea butter. These ingredients cost five times as much, but the benefits – both for the environment and for our customers – are well worth it.“

The new products are available on the Project Harmless website and are offered in minimal packaging. As part of its international expansion, the company recently opened an office in Marylebone, London, and the team is also exploring opportunities to launch the cosmetics line in the US.

In October 2024, Project Harmless was named as one of 14 Ambassadors for the Start Up Loans programme, part of the British Business Bank. The annual ambassador programme celebrates inspiring British entrepreneurs who have started businesses with funding from the government-backed scheme. Since its launch, Start Up Loans has provided more than 73 mio GBP to 7 699 Scottish start-ups, with an average loan size of 9 600 GBP.