West established Ethique while completing her second year of a science degree at the University of Canterbury and the company sells a range of beauty, laundry and even dog shampoos that don't require plastic packaging.
All the products come as bars with compostable packaging and West says a huge part of her company's ethos is about eliminating plastic bottles and wasted water caused by personal care products.
Ethique is the first New Zealand company to be listed with the US-based B Corp organisation.
B Corps are a new type of company that uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems.
"We have just been re-certified with B Corp and I'm pleased to say that our rating has improved," says West.
"Re-certification happens every two years and I think we have done well because we started from a good place whereas some companies that have not been working sustainably in the past have a lot of remedial work to do."
A B Corp listing also means that companies pay their workers a living wage and West says Ethique does that for their 15 Blenheim-based, and eight Christchurch-based employees.
When asked where her inspiration came from, the young entrepreneur says she was raised by parents who supported and encouraged her lateral thinking.
"I believe that living in Christchurch after the earthquakes also inspired a lot of entrepreneurship in me and others as well," she says.
"It triggered a lot of get-up-and-go in people."
West's visit to Whanganui is funded by Whanganui District Council's waste minimisation fund and she will speak at the Davis Lecture Theatre, Watt St on Tuesday, July 10 at 7pm.
There is a $5 cover charge and proceeds will be donated to Sustainable Whanganui and the Whanganui Women in Business network.
