Soap for Society: Canon Hong Kong's First Participation in Soap and Lotion Recycling Service
Have you ever thought that soap can be recycled? Canon Hongkong Company Limited (Canon Hong Kong)'s final volunteer activity for 2024 took place on 14 December, when it first participated in the local charity Soap Cycling's soap and body lotion recycling service, assisting in transforming them into valuable social resources. In addition to successfully reducing waste in the local hospitality industry, all the recycled soap and body lotion will be distributed to individuals in need locally and in Southeast Asia. This not only helps maintain community hygiene but also promotes the message of "cherishing resources, avoiding waste," contributing to a greener planet.
On the day of the event, Soap Cycling staff provided an in-depth explanation of the current use of toiletries in the local hospitality industry, such as soap and body lotion. They also shared how, after partnering with hotels, they collect and transform "waste" into resources. It turns out that recycled soap only needs visible stains on the surface to be scraped off by hand before it can be reused. After that, the team processed over a hundred small bottles of body lotion. Due to the thick texture of the lotion, our volunteers exerted considerable effort to pour the remaining lotion into larger bottles for assembly.
Ultimately, our volunteers successfully reduced 13 kg of soap waste, preventing it from being sent to landfills. Among them, the 8L of reassembled body lotion was enough for 16 elderly to use for two months while 5 kg of cleaned and processed soap was sufficient for 120 people to use for a month.
Through this meaningful event, our volunteers gained a deeper understanding of waste reduction and realized the importance of cherishing resources. Soap Cycling also provided employee training programs for vulnerable groups, helping them obtain work experience and integrate into society. The rebirth of each piece of soap or body lotion is not just an environmental practice, but also a crucial step towards building an inclusive society and creating a green environment for future generations, aligning perfectly with our corporate philosophy of "Kyosei."
