Transforming Used Hotel Soap into a Global Hygiene Solution: UniSoap and Clean the World Leading the Way

Every week, countless bars of used hotel soap end up in the trash, contributing to environmental waste and missed opportunities for hygiene support in underserved communities. However, the journey of recycling used hotel soap is being reimagined by two pioneering organizations: UniSoap and Clean the World. With a shared mission to promote global hygiene, these initiatives are proving that even the simplest of ideas can lead to transformative change.

The Science Behind Used Soap

The concept of recycling used soap might raise concerns about hygiene and sanitation. However, the science behind soap's cleansing process tells a different story. When soap is used, its molecules bind to germs, natural oils, and impurities on the skin. These molecules attract and encapsulate dirt and grime, repelling water. When you wash your hands, these soap molecules, along with the captured impurities, are carried away by running water, leaving your skin clean and safe.

Therefore, even a seemingly contaminated bar of soap remains safe for personal use. This knowledge forms the foundation for the soap recycling initiatives undertaken by UniSoap and Clean the World.

UniSoap: Transforming Waste into Sanitary Bars

UniSoap, based in Lyon, France, leads the way in turning waste into sanitary soap bars. Their journey starts with the collection of thousands of used soap bars from local hotels. These bars undergo a meticulous process to ensure their safety for reuse.

The first step involves removing all traces of grime left by hotel guests, a process that initially required labor-intensive hand scraping. To streamline this effort, UniSoap has developed a machine prototype that can automate part of the scraping process.

Commercial mixers are then used to grind and blend the differently sized bars into uniform pieces. The resulting mixture is treated with a solution of water and bleach to ensure its sanitation. This process, led by dedicated workers and innovative machinery, results in a final product that is a sanitary bar of recycled soap.

Clean the World: Leading the Global Effort

Clean the World, based in the United States, embarked on its mission to recycle hotel soap over a decade ago. What started as a one-car garage operation has grown into a global initiative that transcends borders. The organization collects used soap from thousands of hotels worldwide, including approximately 1.4 million hotel rooms.

Clean the World's industrial assembly line ensures efficiency in soap recycling. The process involves refining the soap to remove dirt and hair, followed by a sterilization phase using a solution of water and bleach. The resulting mixture is extruded into long bars of recycled soap, which are subsequently cut into individual bars.

Since its inception, Clean the World has donated over 73 million recycled bars of soap to children in need across the globe. These donations make a significant impact in countries where access to running water and basic hygiene products is limited.

An Evolving Hotel Industry

While UniSoap and Clean the World continue their mission to recycle soap and serve the underprivileged, the hotel industry is undergoing changes. In 2019, major hotel companies, such as Marriott International and IHG, announced plans to replace individual soap bars with large, refillable liquid dispensers in hotel bathrooms.

While this shift may reduce plastic waste, it also raises questions about the practicality and effectiveness of liquid soap versus bar soap. Studies suggest that washing with a bar of soap uses less soap than liquid alternatives, making bars more efficient and eco-friendly. Moreover, bars eliminate the need for plastic bottles.

Continuing the Mission for a Healthier World

The efforts of UniSoap and Clean the World have a far-reaching impact. UniSoap may be smaller in scale but has already made a significant difference in the communities it serves, especially in France. Clean the World's remarkable journey, from a one-car garage to a global leader in soap recycling, showcases the power of an individual's idea transformed into a global movement.

Both organizations have become pillars of hope for people living in dire conditions, providing them with the means to maintain personal hygiene. This, in turn, helps reduce the spread of hygiene-related diseases and fosters healthier communities.

In conclusion, used hotel soap, often viewed as waste, has been repurposed to serve those in need. The recycling of soap by organizations like UniSoap and Clean the World highlights the power of innovation and the transformative impact that a simple idea can have on a global scale. While the hotel industry shifts towards more sustainable practices, the question of how to maintain personal hygiene effectively and efficiently remains at the forefront of the conversation. The future of soap recycling and the fight against hygiene-related diseases depend on ongoing efforts and the collaboration of individuals, organizations, and industries. UniSoap and Clean the World are leading the way, turning discarded hotel soap into a valuable resource for the less fortunate and promoting hygiene, health, and sustainability worldwide.