What is the origin of this sustainable initiative in the olive groves of Croatia?
In the Dalmatia region of Croatia, Ana Karabatić, founder of the Sapunerija Rustika company in Gornji Tučepi, has found an innovative way to give olive oil production byproducts a second life. Her story unexpectedly gained prominence at the Olive and Oil Festival in Peljuzica when the audience asked what to do with the "murga"—the dense sediment that settles at the bottom of the tanks after filtration. Karabatić, singled out by experts, explained how this residue is transformed into a highly effective traditional soap.
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Natural soap made with extra virgin olive oil: How did a family concern become an internationally successful business?
Karabatić's journey began for personal reasons. After the birth of her twin daughters, her concern about irritating ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in commercial shower gels prompted her to seek healthier alternatives. Since her husband, Dragan Delić, is a renowned and award-winning olive grower, she had access to an exceptional raw material. What started in the cellar of their stone house at the foot of the Biokovo massif has grown into a thriving business that has already produced some 400.000 unique soaps, sold on the Adriatic coast and, using her own design tools, exported as far as China.
What types of products are made from olives under the "zero waste" philosophy?
Sapunerija Rustika's ecological approach stands out for its comprehensive use of the tree within a circular economy model. On one hand, they produce natural soap from traditional boiled extra virgin olive oil using the "murga" (a type of olive tree) and oxidized oils provided by local residents. Through a complete boiling process, they create bars ideal for domestic use, which tourist accommodations use to remove stubborn sunscreen stains from sheets. On the other hand, they produce fine cold-process cosmetics using early-harvest extra virgin olive oil for skincare.
Why is olive leaf the secret ingredient in your natural cosmetics?
In addition to the oil and sediment, Karabatić places extraordinary value on olive leaves, an element that most farmers discard after pruning. After researching their properties, he discovered their extremely high concentration of antioxidants, surpassing the combined concentration of vitamin C and green tea. For this reason, the leaf has become the essential active ingredient in his most acclaimed facial creams and serums, ideal for hydrating, soothing irritation, and combating skin aging.
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Natural soap made with extra virgin olive oil: What impact does this project have on agritourism and the local community?
To expand this sustainable knowledge, Karabatić conducts training workshops, which have already been attended by more than 1.500 people throughout the region, integrating his courses into the agritourism offerings of the Makarska Riviera. The project thus completes a perfect local ecological cycle: it prevents used oils and sludge from polluting the natural environment, reduces the consumption of harsh industrial detergents, and demonstrates to the community that what is often considered waste is, in fact, a valuable raw material.
