By recycling close to 10 tonnes of discarded soap from accommodation businesses in the past year, the Braeside charity SoapAid has reduced the equivalent of over 6,000 litres worth of fuel in methane and CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
The charity turns recycled guest soap into fresh bars to increase access to hygiene in disadvantaged communities in Australia and overseas. Since it was founded in 2011, SoapAid has worked with industry providers to reduce the volume of hotel soap being discarded into local landfill areas.
Their efforts saw them win a 2024 Sustainable Business Award for their focus on waste reduction and recycling solutions. Awarded by the Kingston City Council, the prize shines a light on the businesses that best demonstrate sustainable practices. There were 24 nominees this year which were voted by other businesses from the area.
Carol Bellew, SoapAid general manager of operations, tells upstart that the local council area has been a huge focus for the company.
“We were really excited when Kingston came to us and told us we were going to be awarded their sustainability for recycling award for this year… there are communities in Kingston that need help,” she says.
“We want to work with any organisation who has a focus on improving the health of their communities.”
Bellew says the increasing number of members and the positive feedback that the company receives are incredibly rewarding.
“It is so wonderful to see those soap bars go out to communities and to get the stories back showing that these bars and the education have made a difference,” she says.
Emma Jae Custom Laser Designs also won an award in a category focused on diversity and inclusion within the community. The company was created following Emma Coates’ journey of parenting a neurodivergent child where she aimed to increase awareness of different educational approaches and implement them to promote inclusion in the community. Her business creates products such as visual schedule tiles and emotional support tags to assist children like her own.
Coates’ products empower children to break down barriers which can be influenced by neurodivergence, such as communication, and allow these kids to embrace their individuality through creativity.
“When it came to having a business that was for diversity inclusion, it’s from family. My son is neurodivergent, so it was about stepping the business into that direction to help with inclusion for children,” she tells upstart.
“When you know one child with autism, you know one child with autism. Everyone is different and that’s where the real focus on customs [designs] started.”
Other winners were awarded for their efforts in using eco-friendly materials, reducing carbon footprint, taking a digital approach, or local sourcing.
The Mayor of Kingston City Council, Jenna Davey-Burns, says she is proud that Kingston is the only council awards ceremony in Victoria with a primary focus on sustainability in business and long-term sustainability goals.
“We have a remarkably innovative and diverse business community and it’s vital we recognise and applaud those businesses and individuals making the world a better place.”
Article: Ethan Rigg is a fourth-year Bachelor of Media and Communications (sports media) student at La Trobe University. You can follow him on Twitter @ethanrigg7.
Photo: SoapAid.jpg is supplied by SoapAid. This image has not been modified.
