Do you ever feel like destiny is calling? Like something you should be doing is tapping on your window, and asking you to let it inside? This week was one of those weeks for me, and as odd as it sounds, I think destiny is telling me to look into the possibilities that abound in waste grease.

It all started when I watched a video on Instructables.com about how to make bacon soap.**

How to Make Bacon Soap – More DIY How To Projects

At the time, I had no idea the week that was to come. The video showed how soap can be made from just about any kind of fat, even bacon fat. They said in the video that most of the soap we use anyway comes from either pig or beef fat. I had no idea.

The guy in the video extracted the fat from the bacon, and then did a little goggles-required chemistry to make bars of soap that resembled strips of bacon. He made it look way too easy, and, again, at the time, the video was just a little entertainment; five minutes and thirty seconds of my life that had absolutely nothing to do with changing my life, so I moved on.

Later in the week, I spoke with a friend of mine who works for a Web design and development company about a new project at work. While I was browsing their portfolio, I discovered that they built Mario Batali’s Web site.** Being a foodie, I couldn’t help but take a look.

While on Mario’s site, I discovered that he has a soap and candle-making business, called further soap,** whose products are made from the waste grease generated from his many restaurant kitchens. Light bulb.

Immediately, my mind made a little connection. I know this because it also made a little “bing” sound. “Hum,” I uttered with a little pursing of my lips. The universe showed me how to make soap from bacon fat, and then again it showed me how a chef is making soap from waste grease. That was all I needed.

I’m not a chef, but I know lots of them here in New Orleans, so I sent a Facebook message to one of them and asked if he had any waste grease at his restaurant. He told me that he did, and that they normally donate it to a bio-fuel company, but that he could reserve a little for me. SCORE!

I haven’t had a chance to go get the grease, but I’ll make it over there this week (by the time you read this, I should have the grease in-hand (or in-bucket). In the meantime, I’ve got to learn how to make soap. If you know how to make soap, comment below and teach me how.

We’re always wanting to do more unique and original story-telling on the Filter for Good blog, so consider this Chapter 1. I will follow up this post with videos and more posts showing my progress, and hopefully in a couple of weeks, I’ll have actual bars of soap to show you.

This may be the beginning of a new way for this city, with all its amazing restaurants, to start doing something with its waste grease (other than the bio-fuel thing, which is great). Fair warning, however, it could also be a tumble down a rabbit hole. Either way, I live for these little journeys. Want to join me?

Stay tuned.

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