SunSeed Soap LLC Joins the Green Business Directory

We’re excited to welcome SunSeed Soap LLC as the newest member of the Greater Stillwater Area Green Business Directory. Founded by retired chemist Jim McDonell, SunSeed Soap represents a powerful example of how scientific expertise, personal passion, and environmental commitment can come together to rethink everyday products.

After retiring from a career as a PhD surfactant chemist and patent agent at 3M, Jim returned to the traditional craft of soapmaking. What began as a personal project soon evolved into a deeper mission: to redesign liquid soap in a way that dramatically reduces environmental impact across its entire lifecycle. The result is SunSeed Soap’s innovative tablet system—a concept that challenges one of the biggest inefficiencies in the personal care industry.

Most liquid soaps are made up of 80–90% water. That means manufacturers are shipping heavy bottles of water around the country, increasing fuel use, packaging waste, and carbon emissions. SunSeed Soap eliminates this problem by removing the water entirely. Instead, the soap is delivered as a concentrated tablet that customers simply dissolve in water at home, creating either a light foaming soap or a rich liquid soap depending on the dilution.

While the concept sounds simple, developing the product was anything but. Because the tablets dissolve easily, they are extremely sensitive to humidity. Industry experts suggested that moisture-proof packaging without plastic would be nearly impossible. But Jim embraced the challenge and ultimately engineered a solution using recycled aluminum foil packaging that protects the tablets while avoiding plastic waste.

This inventive approach reflects the scientific mindset behind the business. SunSeed Soap is built on the idea that chemistry—when guided by environmental responsibility—can be used to eliminate waste rather than simply manage it.

The company also takes a thoughtful approach to ingredient sourcing. Instead of relying on globally traded oils such as palm or olive oil, SunSeed Soap uses sunflower oil sourced in Minnesota. Sunflowers are naturally well-suited to the regional climate and require significantly less water to grow than many alternative oils. By choosing a locally produced ingredient, the business supports regional agriculture while reducing the environmental impacts associated with long-distance supply chains.

Sustainability is also embedded in the way the business operates day to day. Production takes place at a cottage on forested land along the Snake River powered entirely by solar and geothermal energy. Packaging and curing occur at a second solar-powered location in Woodbury. Transportation between sites and to local vendor events is done using an electric vehicle charged with renewable energy.

SunSeed Soap’s impact extends beyond the product itself. Jim is actively involved in environmental advocacy and education, volunteering with Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center and engaging with the public at local fairs and markets. These events create opportunities for conversations about sustainable chemistry, waste reduction, and how everyday choices can support healthier ecosystems.

At its core, SunSeed Soap LLC demonstrates that innovation doesn’t always mean adding complexity—it can also mean simplifying a product to eliminate unnecessary waste. By removing water, reducing packaging, sourcing responsibly, and using renewable energy, the company offers a compelling example of how thoughtful design can transform an everyday product.

We’re proud to welcome SunSeed Soap LLC to the Green Business Directory and look forward to seeing how their creative approach continues to inspire more sustainable solutions in the personal care industry.