Little details can make a big difference. Collecting discarded soap from Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge guest rooms is much more than good housekeeping; this seemingly innocuous task is one that makes a huge impact in the lives of people around the world.
Thousands of people visit Glenwood Hot Springs Resort every year to relax and play in the world-famous hot springs pool. Many of those guests stay at the Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge where they enjoy, among other things, guest rooms stocked with complimentary bath items from Zents—a line of high-quality spa products. Upon their departure, guests leave their partially used soaps behind. Rather than toss them in the trash and contribute to already-overburdened landfills, Glenwood Hot Springs’ housekeeping staff corrals these castoffs for a second life elsewhere in the world.
“Since 2017, Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge has partnered with Clean the World to improve the lives of people around the world,” Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge manager Loretta Ayala said. “As a company, we are always looking for opportunities to be proactive and have a positive impact on our community, whether that’s taking place at the local or the global level.” Ayala credits housekeeping supervisor Kathy Webb, who had experience with Clean the World from a previous job, for connecting Glenwood Hot Springs with the non-profit organization.
As part of its cleaning routine, the housekeeping staff leaves informational cards about the Clean the World initiative in rooms for guests. “Our guests are increasingly mindful of social, economic and environmental issues and appreciative of our efforts,” Ayala said. “This program reminds all of us that even the smallest efforts, can make a big difference—in this case, it can actually save lives.”
After guests depart the lodge at the end of their stay, housekeeping staff collects the discarded soaps into bins provided by Clean the World. The items are then shipped to facilities where they are sorted, processed for recycling and readied for distribution. In 2018, in its partnership with Clean the World, Glenwood Hot Springs collected 369 pounds of waste, distributed 1,397 bars of soap, recycled 80 pounds of plastic and donated 214 plastic bottles for use in the Clean the World’s hygiene kits.
According to Clean the World, each day about 5,500 children die from diseases that can be prevented by up to 65 percent through regular hand washing with bar soap. Around 2 million children perish annually from acute respiratory infections like pneumonia, and diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery that spread unchecked through at-risk communities. Soap can put an end to that suffering and save lives in the process. By reversing the needless deaths caused by improper hygiene and poor sanitation, Clean the World with the help of the hospitality community can change history for the better in our lifetime.
Glenwood Hot Springs is proud to partner with Clean the World!