All that half-used soap and shampoo that’s simply left in the tub when guests check out of their hotel is being put to very good use by a charity called Clean The World.
The charity is recycling these leftovers into new soap and shampoo, and shipping it to developing countries and homeless shelters in the US.
Clean The World says its primary goal is to help developing countries combat the diarrhoeal diseases that cause nearly 1.8 million childhood deaths a year. Proper hygiene practices can help to eliminate these avoidable deaths.
At its laboratory in Florida, Clean The World cooks the soap to remove impurities and then re-shapes it into two-ounce bars. According to its website, it has put more than four million of these bars – as well as 200,000 pounds of shampoo and conditioner – back into use, simultaneously eliminating more than 380 tons of waste. About 175 hotels, both luxury and budget, are currently involved in the project.
One of the luxury hotels taking part is the New York Palace in Manhattan. Elvir Dervisevic, Director of Housekeeping, said: “Reducing environmental impact is a priority for us, and Clean The World’s ability to recycle discarded soap was a simple solution for our ‘reduce waste’ team.”
by Andy Moreton
An animal welfare charity says horses and donkeys used to ferry holidaymakers around in some parts of the world are paying a heavy price for overweight tourists and cheap rides.
The Brooke charity says that in areas popular with British and American visitors, such as Egypt and Jordan, the animals take tourists between historical attractions, often across rocky terrain. The Brooke says there’s no protection for them and they’re often over-worked, under-watered and under-fed.
Here in the UK, new rules were introduced which mean that beach donkeys carry only holidaymakers of eight stone (112 lbs) or less, have an hour’s break at lunch and a day off in the week to rest.
The Brooke has also warned that as tourists haggle down the price in an effort to save money in the recession, it’s the animals who suffer. Struggling owners are tempted to over-work the animals to bring in enough money to feed their families.
The Brooke spokeswoman, Kimberly Wells, said: “We see first hand the painful results - exhaustion, injuries, dehydration, heat stress, beatings and wounds: over-worked animals suffering for tourism.”
“Tourists can have a hugely positive impact on how communities treat their animals, so we are urging them to play their part and work with us to reduce animal suffering across the world.”
by Andy Moreton
