MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—Concept Amenities, a provider of environmentally responsible guest bath amenities, has established an independent charity known as Soap Aid. Aimed at saving millions of lives worldwide, Soap Aid will address one of the most critical needs facing our planet today—the lack of soap in third world countries—resulting in millions of unnecessary deaths; more often children.
Concept Amenities plans to unveil this ambitious humanitarian effort during a luncheon for hospitality leaders at the 12th Annual Australia, New Zealand, & Pacific Hotel Industry Conference (ANZPHIC) July 25 to 27 at the Hilton Sydney.
“Across the globe, 2.6 billion impoverished people lack adequate sanitation,” says Michael Matulick, chief executive officer of Concept Amenities. “It is estimated that 1.8 million children under the age of five die each year due to hygiene related illnesses such as acute respiratory infection and diarrheal disease. However, by the simple act of hand washing with a bar of soap we could potentially reduce the number of these cases by over 40 percent.”
That, says Matulick, is where the hospitality industry can make a huge difference: “Every day, thousands of hotels around the world discard millions of pieces of soap, which often ends up in already overflowing landfills. By collecting waste soap and reprocessing it, our industry can help make a significant contribution to two critical objectives—protecting the environment and potentially saving countless human lives.”
Soap Collection, Distribution Process Under Development
To ensure the success of its initiative, Concept Amenities is currently in discussions with a number of charities and distribution companies to assist in soap collection from hotel properties and proper distribution of the repurposed soap to the areas of greatest need.
It is important to note, however, that that unlike similar relief efforts, Concept Amenities plans to break down the used soap, remove impurities and recast the soap into perfect new bars that will bear the Soap Aid logo.
In addition to rolling out the project in the company’s native Australia and gradually expanding to other global regions, Concept Amenities is also striving to raise public awareness of sanitary conditions in impoverished nations and encouraging hospitality providers around the world to contribute to Soap Aid by recycling their guest amenities.
“Soap Aid is a unique opportunity for Concept Amenities to remain true to its core values of promoting eco-consciousness and improving the quality of life on our planet,” says Matulick. “With the help of others in our industry, we can save millions of lives together.”
To learn more about Soap Aid, visit Concept Amenities stand number 11, at ANZPHIC, or log onto SoapAid.org or write to save@soapaid.com.
