Global Soap Project

by Annie Scott (RSS feed)
Oct 15th 2009 at 10:01AM

The Global Soap Project is a new initiative to recycle the bazillions of bars of soap that hotels throw away every day.

You know how some luxury hotels replace your bar of soap every day, even if you barely touched it? Derreck Kayongo, a former refugee from Uganda, saw this not as hopeless wastefulness, but as an opportunity. The Global Soap Project collects these partial bars of soap, sterilizes and reshapes them and redistributes them at refugee camps in Africa. How'w that for thinking outside the box?

There are currently 40 hotels participating in the Global Soap Project, one of which is The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead in Atlanta (above). The project is currently localized in Atlanta and serving Uganda, but both Kayongo and Ritz-Carlton manager Olivia Brown hope to expand it.

We at Luxist think this is a great idea and a great way to make hotels more sustainable!

Tags: atlanta, hotels, ritz-carlton

Filed under: Green, Big Givers

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Christine Pence Oct 19th 2009 9:02AM

Dear Luxist,

I am a nurse working with the nonprofit group OGRA in Kisumu, Kenya. I'm starting up a hygiene education program for the children of the Nyalenda slums (second largest slum in Kenya). I've read about the Global Soap Project and believe this would be an excellent means of acquiring a sustainable supply of soap for this needy community.

Can you please put me in touch with Mr. Kayongo or an appropriate person so I can learn more about receiving recycled soap and possible starting up a soap recycling center of our own her in Kisumu.

Kind Regards,

Christine Pence, RN, MSN
christinepence04@gmail.com

Annie Scott Oct 19th 2009 12:56PM

Hi Christine, I think we can manage that -- I'll see what I can do!
Best wishes,
Annie

Michael McGuire Oct 26th 2009 12:02AM

Hello Luxist,

I am an English Lecturer based in Macao, S.A.R., China. My university is specifically aligned with the tourism industry in Macao and have established relationships with 90% of the major hotels in the area.

I was so moved by Mr. Kayongo's story, which I read in the China Daily, that I too, just as Chrisitine Pence from Kenya, would like to contact the Global Soap Project.

I believe my colleagues and I could start our own soap recycling project and help the impoverished countries in S.E. Asia.

Thank you for helping!!

Michael Clancy McGuire
English Lecturer
mcmirish@hotmail.com

Annie Scott Nov 4th 2009 6:38PM

Hey Michael, I'm on it! You'll be hearing from Global Soap soon.

Best wishes,
Annie

Michael McGuire Nov 4th 2009 8:08PM

never doubted it....Thanks for all the help and hard work!

John D'Agostino Nov 9th 2009 4:12PM

I am in the hotel industry here in delaware and was wondering if there is any place up here that takes soap . I would like to get some of the other hotels in the area involved. can you please help me

npatrizi Nov 10th 2009 2:30PM

Luxist,

I am a Food and Beverage Manager at the InterContinental Hotel in Austin Texas. One of my staff members heard about your project and I am interested in getting involved. Who do we talk to and what is the process?

Regards,

Nicholas Patrizi
Stephen F's Bar and Terrace
Manager

INTERCONTINENTAL
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
Office: (512) 721 - 2016
Cell: (713 822 - 9031
Nicholas.Patrizi@ihg.com