WASHINGTON, D.C.—Startup Soapbox is aiming to change the world while building a viable amenity business at the same time. For every bar of soap purchased a bar is donated to communities in need. The Washington, D.C.-based company has already donated almost 3 million bars of soap. Soapbox manufactures bar soap as well as shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, and body wash.
Soapbox was in the news last month when Delta Hotels by Marriott announced a new amenity partnership with the company. The naturally-derived Soapbox products featured in the guestroom amenity kits began rolling out to all 50 properties within the brand’s global portfolio last month.
The collaboration between Delta Hotels and Soapbox will provide an estimated 1.4 million bars of soap to communities in need across the globe in 2018 through Soapbox’s buy-one-give-one model. As part of the relationship, each amenity kit will include a unique “Hope Code.” Delta Hotels guests can enter the Hope Code found on their individual in-room amenities on Soapbox’s website, to see where that kit’s contribution will be allocated.
“The code allows them to see exactly where the donation went, the aid partner, and the project,” says Jessica Busick, Associate Marketing Manager for Soapbox. “We want our consumers to be part of the journey.”
Also a Certified B Corp
Soapbox, a certified B Corp, was co-founded by CEO Dave Simnick in 2010 at American University in Washington, D.C. Soapbox works with soap makers around the world to provide the donated soap bars. Soapbox also works with nonprofits to start soap making initiatives and supports soap recycling organizations which collect hotel bar soap remnants and remakes them into bars to give to the community. There are currently aid partners in 65 countries.
“We don’t make the bars that are donated,” Busick says. “We give them the funding to make the bars of soap. In rare instances where they do not have a soap making center, we work with Clean the World.” Hygiene education is also part of the mission of Soapbox.
In conjunction with the amenity roll out by Delta Hotels by Marriott, Marriott Rewards will be offering a first-of-its-kind cause-related experience in India next November, hosted by Delta Hotels and Soapbox charitable partner, Sundara. Starting March 16, Rewards members will be able to use points for a chance to bid on a travel package to include business class flights for a member and his or her guest to Mumbai, with a six-day, five-night stay. The package will be available through the Marriott Moments platform and feature a community visit to one of Mumbai’s neighboring villages with Delta Hotels to meet Sundara’s hygiene ambassadors, help launch hygiene stations, and facilitate soap recycling demonstrations to the local community. To learn more about the package, including how to bid, Marriott Rewards members can visit Moments.MarriottRewards.com.
Glenn Hasek can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
