Back to projects
Unisoap
Recycled hotel soaps for the needy
Social actionCircular economyAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
With 3 €,
Unisoap finances:
1 recycled soap(s) for people in need
2,630 €10,000 €
168 Captains
Challenge
An estimated 51 million soaps are thrown away by hotels in France every year, generating a high environmental cost and constituting a deleterious consequence of tourism. And yet, 3 million people in France cannot afford to buy basic hygiene products while the number of homeless people is constantly on the rise.
Hygiene is not a luxury but a necessity, as it is an issue of public health, social inclusion and well-being.
Hygiene is not a luxury but a necessity, as it is an issue of public health, social inclusion and well-being.
Solution
In order to respond to this dual problem, UNISOAP has developed an innovative solution: used soaps from hotels are collected, recycled and then donated to partner charities, which take charge of distributing them to their beneficiaries.
Humans are at the heart of the UNISOAP approach, which is whythe association also employs disabled people to recycle these soapswithin an ESAT (Établissement et Service d'Aide par le Travail), located in the Lyon region.
Humans are at the heart of the UNISOAP approach, which is whythe association also employs disabled people to recycle these soapswithin an ESAT (Établissement et Service d'Aide par le Travail), located in the Lyon region.
Recent result
Since the initiative was launched, nearly 9 tons of soap have been collected from 370 partner hotels. 40 000 soaps and 4,000 hygiene kits have been produced and distributed to underprivileged populations.
The money will be used for
The donations received will help finance a new soap cleaning machine, increasing the association's production capacity and thus covering more needs. This improvement will also give ESAT workers additional skills.
Goal
Double the volume of soaps distributed and recycled thanks to the acquisition of a new machine.
28 Cours Aristide Briand, 69300 CALUIRE-ET-CUIRE, France
The first French association to transform used hotel soaps into resources for people in need
The association's aim is to provide an innovative solution to 3 major issues by implementing a triple approach:
- environmental (reduction of waste from the hotel world),
- social (recycling operated by a work-integration facility hiring young people aged 18 to 25)
- solidarity (free distribution of reconditioned soaps to associations helping people in need).
- environmental (reduction of waste from the hotel world),
- social (recycling operated by a work-integration facility hiring young people aged 18 to 25)
- solidarity (free distribution of reconditioned soaps to associations helping people in need).
Since 2017, UNISOAP has been working for more sustainable tourism by promoting zero waste, all for humanitarian purposes!
UNISOAP in the field 🚐
"I'm going to take a shower!" 🚿
You have to get out in the field to really understand how commonplace this phrase is for those without access to hygiene.
The UNISOAP team spent an afternoon following the Vroom Shower. This is the camper van that Béchir Dridi has transformed into a mobile shower, and which provides over 300 showers a month for homeless people in Lyon.
Beyond simple showers, the Vroom Shower offers a convivial moment with beneficiaries. By creating a bond with them, Béchir gives them back access to hygiene, health, but also and above all, self-esteem.
We are proud to contribute to the actions of our partner associations and to have seen first-hand the positive impact of the hygiene products we distribute (UNISOAP recycled soaps and hygiene kits).
Together, we can go even further 🌍 🧼
UNISOAP takes recycling one step further! ♻️
At UNISOAP, we're committed to transforming waste from the hospitality sector into resources for the underprivileged.
Beyond recycled soaps, we're now makinghygiene kits to cover ever more needs. The kits are thus made up of a UNISOAP soap and products collected from cosmetics brands and manufacturers (if you know of a brand that knows... that would like to donate products 😉).
For their manufacture, it's quite natural that we chose to work with a second ALGED structure: ESAT Robert Lafon.
Through their sewing workshop, we're carrying out one more ecological action and a great partnership! 🍃
We explain:
Beyond recycled soaps, we're now makinghygiene kits to cover ever more needs. The kits are thus made up of a UNISOAP soap and products collected from cosmetics brands and manufacturers (if you know of a brand that knows... that would like to donate products 😉).
For their manufacture, it's quite natural that we chose to work with a second ALGED structure: ESAT Robert Lafon.
Through their sewing workshop, we're carrying out one more ecological action and a great partnership! 🍃
We explain:
➡️ The pouch you see in the photo comes from the recycling of sheets and comforter covers from Blanchisserie Morellon, a major player in linen rental and care since 1890.
They discard 1 cart of linen per week (clean linen damaged, with holes, torn, etc..., from hotels and healthcare facilities).
They discard 1 cart of linen per week (clean linen damaged, with holes, torn, etc..., from hotels and healthcare facilities).
We recover and recycle this linen to make pouches that house hygiene kits, destined for our partner charities. 🤝
All this wouldn't be possible without your support!
Together, we can have even more impact 🌍
Unisoap thanks you!
Discover Unisoap's video greetings.
Over 28,000 soaps recycled and distributed to people in need
The year 2023 is off to a good start for UNISOAP: we've now reached 28,000 soaps recycled and distributed to people in need 🧼 And that's thanks to your support!
We aim to recycle more soaps to give over 100,000 people access to hygiene by the end of 2023. The development of our new machine is progressing and will enable us to speed up soap cleaning and production as a whole.
At the same time, we are increasingly developing hygiene kits (UNISOAP recycled soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.), distributed through our partner charities. Made up of several products, they cover even more hygiene needs and improve the self-esteem of the most underprivileged.
We recently joined forces with Fraternité Lyon Centre to distribute over 100 kits.
Together, we'll be going even further to promote sustainable tourism and provide access to hygiene! 🚀