Hotel Soap with a Higher Calling?

In May of 2009, Derreck Kayongo, who has over 15 years’ experience developing campaigns for cause-related advocacy, founded the Global Soap Project. A former refugee himself, he saw first-hand the health problems that could be prevented with access to soap.

Joining with hospitality professionals such as Ned Barker (Chairman of the Board, GSP), who previously served as Vice President for Franchise F&B for IHG, the Global Soap Project recovers discarded soap from hotels and recycles it into new bars. The soap is then distributed around the world to orphans, refugees, and disaster victims.

An estimated 2.4 million children die each year from hygiene related issues, and  over 2 million bars of soap are discarded by hotels in the U.S. every day. The Global Soap Project works with existing organizations within communities to distribute the recycled soap, along with hygiene education, where it is needed most.

Based in Norcross, GA, the Global Soap Project can be reached through their website. To date, they have distributed over one million bars of soap, and were the regional winners in the Health and Wellness Category of the Annual CLASSY Awards. For information on how your hotel can get involved, you can email the Global Soap Project at info@globalsoap.org. For other ideas on giving back within the industry, check out Hospitality Gives Back.