Upcycled discarded hotel room soap diverts waste and gives hope
After witnessing a mother in Cambodia bathe her baby with laundry powder due to lack of soap, Samir Lakhani was inspired to launch Eco-Soap Bank in 2014. His organization rescues discarded hotel and factory soap, recycles it, and distributes it to communities in need, helping reduce both hygiene inequity and environmental waste. Globally, five million hotel soap bars are thrown out daily, often ending up in landfills and contributing to pollution. Eco-Soap Bank has diverted over 14 million pounds of soap from landfills. Similar initiatives exist worldwide, including Soap Aid in Australia and Soap for Hope in Canada. These nonprofits repurpose used hygiene products and support local service organizations. In 2025, Soap for Hope’s Hygiene Poverty Survey found nearly all clients experienced mental health impacts due to lack of hygiene access. These efforts highlight the powerful intersection of sustainability and social equity—transforming waste into dignity and health for underserved communities. Learn more about this initiative.
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