What to do with hotel toiletries/amenities kits (and even excess Qantas PJs!)

[Rebekkap]

I seem to have accumulated an entire cupboard full of miniature bottles of shampoo etc (apparently a lot of hotels throw them out even if they look unused, in case they are not unused, so I hate leaving them there to be wasted, plus there really is a limit to the number of amenities kits one needs!)

I was wondering what to do with them, and remembering the night my partner ended up in emergency, I rushed to the hospital, and he wanted to brush his teeth but the shops were shut and I hadn't brought anything with me. It's pretty miserable being in hospital and not well, and worse if you can't even brush your teeth! I thought hospitals might be able to use the excess unwanted stuff I accumulate from travelling so much - sure enough, the Monash hospital is apparently desperate for such supplies - Monash hospital desperate for shoes and toiletries - Local News - News - Waverley Leader - You can find out how to donate by calling the hospital on 9594 2290 (if you are in Melbourne).

There are no doubt hospitals in other states that could use similar donations. I'm currently in the US, but I'm going to do a big purge of the bathroom cabinets and donate a bunch of unused stuff when I get home - hopefully it will make someone in hospital feel a little less awful!

 

[Pollywaffle]

Great idea.

I give mine to a friend who passes them on to a women's shelter. If women are fleeing their home, they rarely stop to gather toiletries.

 

[RooFlyer]

I used a whole bunch of leftovers including the kit bags to make up exclusive 'Amenity kits' for all the members of a family flying with me on E to Asia. Added to my carry-on, but went down very well !

But after reading the first 2 posts here, I'll do something more constructive. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[simongr]

I tend to use them when going to the pool or beach - small packs to carry around. Wife uses the shower caps - although last year's travel has led to some stock piles building...

 

[medhead]

My weekly hotel has rubbish amenities, so I leave a kit bag in my office containing my good quality stuff.

However, donation is an excellent idea.

 

[turtlemichael]

So my idea of pouring them into a big bottle in the bathroom (well maybe one for shampoo and one for conditioner) and shaking them to mix is a bit crass and maybe best kept to myself?

 

[hydrabyss]

So my idea of pouring them into a big bottle in the bathroom (well maybe one for shampoo and one for conditioner) and shaking them to mix is a bit crass and maybe best kept to myself?

Maybe its just me, but I think this is a perfect idea, cant beleive I hadnt thought of it myself. Oh hang on I dont have much hair so probably no need to combine them as one bottle should last me 12 months.

 

[yohy?!]

So my idea of pouring them into a big bottle in the bathroom (well maybe one for shampoo and one for conditioner) and shaking them to mix is a bit crass and maybe best kept to myself?

do you do this with the leftover pieces of soap as well?

 

[Hvr]

I am actually using them at the moment since there is unlikely to be a hotel stay in the near future. If I wasn't then the idea of a donation to a hospital or women's refuge would be on the cards.

Re the latter, how would one do this? I don't know where they are (nor do I ever need to) so is there a conduit to whom these items could be delivered?

 

[turtlemichael]

do you do this with the leftover pieces of soap as well?

Wet soap pieces can be squeezed into decent size bars. Thinking. Thinking.

 

[Pushka]

I am actually using them at the moment since there is unlikely to be a hotel stay in the near future. If I wasn't then the idea of a donation to a hospital or women's refuge would be on the cards.

Re the latter, how would one do this? I don't know where they are (nor do I ever need to) so is there a conduit to whom these items could be delivered?

I love the donation idea but like you wouldn't know where to go.

 

[Rebekkap]

I love the donation idea but like you wouldn't know where to go.

What state are you in? There are generally umbrella type organisations for refuges - for obvious reasons, they don't give the addresses out.

In Victoria, it's the Domestic Violence Resource Centre - Donate to or volunteer at a domestic violence service | Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

 

[medhead]

Wet soap pieces can be squeezed into decent size bars. Thinking. Thinking.

I just meld the last bit of the old soap onto the new soap bar. Works pretty good.

 

[yo yo ma]

I give mine to a friend who passes them on to a women's shelter.

This is what I do too

 

[Pushka]

What state are you in? There are generally umbrella type organisations for refuges - for obvious reasons, they don't give the addresses out.

In Victoria, it's the Domestic Violence Resource Centre - Donate to or volunteer at a domestic violence service | Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria

I'm in SA but I reckon I can work out where to send them from your idea.

 

[TraceyK90]

You could also contact your local QUOTA group, we take great pleasure in brining our own and knocking off the rest to make care packs! And if you find the odd pack of crayons....the kids love them!

 

[Rebekkap]

You could also contact your local QUOTA group, we take great pleasure in brining our own and knocking off the rest to make care packs! And if you find the odd pack of crayons....the kids love them!

What's a QUOTA group?

 

[Maggs]

PJs and toiletries - off to the Op Shop and shelters. You wouldn't believe what pleasure they give - to receive something new and theirs is a great feeling. The PJs also make great (new) outer wear too. I also ask the FF at work to bring in their excess toiletries packs. Win win all the way around. Took up over 20 packs last time.
Do people really quish the wet soap ?? Surely not.

 

[Danger]

I believe this topic has surfaced on AFF before with similar good ideas.

Years ago, back in the day when my Grandmother was alive and kicking, I was reading one of her Women's Weeklys. From memory, the last page or similar had some kind of 'home hints' tip page. I remember one of the tips was to combine your tiny bits of remaining soap bars and microwave them (obviously at low heat) until they turn to liquid. Then, you've got liquid soap.

Hilton Worldwide Collaborates with the Global Soap Project to Recycle Used Soap | Hilton Worldwide Global Media Center
Hilton to donate all partially used soap to charity - USATODAY.com
Recycling Unused Soaps to Help Save Lives

Personally, what I'd like to see is the AFF community throwing their full travel might behind these causes. It's a big task, no doubt, but I don't see a reason why we all couldn't be pooling the necessary supplies and sending them on. As a back-of-the-envelope type plan, I'd envisage those members who go along to AFF meets (like the Christmas dinner or a gathering in Melbourne or an anytime access memorial wake bringing along whatever they've got, a volunteer from that meet collecting the goods and then, once or wtice a year, we work with the AFF reps from Virgin and Qantas to freight them to the organisations where our waste is turned into another's good (such as the Global Soap Project in Atlanta). In fact, we'd probably find that with what we could all collect and donate, the great majority could be used right here in Australia.

Yes, there would be hurdels to overcome but that hasn't stopped people with good hearts all over the world from taking the first step.

I volunteer!

 

[markis10]

What's a QUOTA group?

Quite a

Unique

Organisation of

Talented

Achievers.


http://quota-spa.org/