The Economics of Everyday Things: Used Hotel Soaps | Freakonomics

Intro

In this episode of Freakonomics, the team explores the fascinating world of used hotel soaps. They delve into the history of hotel amenities, the environmental impact of discarded soaps, and the inspiring story of Sean Cypler, who founded Clean the World to recycle and donate soap to those in need. Join them as they uncover the economics and impact of everyday things like hotel soap.

Main Takeaways

The Evolution of Hotel Amenities

• Hotel amenities have evolved over the last 100 years, and soap was the very first amenity in the bathroom.
• In 2019, a study found that 86% of hotel guests use the packaged soaps, making them the most utilized hotel amenity.
• Hotels stock their bathrooms with all kinds of toiletries, but at most hotels, you’ll still find a bar of soap next to the sink.

Clean the World: Recycling Soap for a Cause

• Millions of bars of soap ended up in landfills every day until Sean Cypler decided to recycle them in 2009.
• Sean Cypler established Clean the World, a nonprofit that recycles and donates soap to people in need in over 100 countries.
• Studies show that giving soap to children can cut deaths from pneumonia and diarrheal disease in half.
• Clean the World’s unique bars of soap provide dignity and love to those in need around the world.

The Soap Whisperer and the Recycling Process

• Clean the World recycles used hotel soap by grinding it through a meat grinder and rebatching it into new bars of soap.
• The soap whisperer, Carlos Anderson, determines how much water to add to the soap to ensure it doesn’t crumble or become too hard.

The Impact of Clean the World

• Clean the World recycles 1.4 million hotel rooms on a daily basis, diverting 22 million pounds of waste and distributing 75 million donated bars of soap to children and families across the globe.
• The average US hotel partner now pays Clean the World 50 to 80 cents per room per month, reducing landfill waste and providing good PR.

The Power of Unconventional Reporting

• Interesting information can come from anyone, not just experts.
• Methodology of reporting involves talking to people in the industry to learn unique insights, rather than relying solely on experts.
• The reporter is a member of 200 private Facebook groups, including communities for rare aquarium fish owners, hot wheels collectors, lumber mill workers, and ride-share drivers.
• By lurking in these groups, the reporter finds extraordinary and ordinary stories that are often left out of high-profile interviews and major publications.
• The people at the end of the supply chain, such as gas station owners, have interesting insights that are often overlooked by experts.
• To join these private Facebook groups, the reporter messages the moderator and states their case, sometimes getting accepted and sometimes not.

Summary

The Evolution of Hotel Amenities

Hotel amenities have come a long way, and soap has been a staple since the early days. Despite the availability of various toiletries, soap remains the most utilized amenity among hotel guests.

Clean the World: Recycling Soap for a Cause

Sean Cypler’s initiative, Clean the World, has revolutionized the recycling and donation of used hotel soaps. By repurposing these discarded bars, Clean the World provides hygiene products to communities in need, significantly reducing deaths from preventable diseases.

The Soap Whisperer and the Recycling Process

Carlos Anderson, known as the soap whisperer, plays a crucial role in determining the water content of recycled soap to ensure its quality. Clean the World’s unique process involves grinding and rebatching the soap, creating new bars that bring dignity and love to those in need.

The Impact of Clean the World

Clean the World’s efforts have had a significant impact, diverting millions of pounds of waste from landfills and distributing millions of bars of soap to children and families worldwide. Hotel partners now contribute financially to support this cause, benefiting both the environment and their public image.

The Power of Unconventional Reporting

Unconventional reporting methods, such as engaging with various industry communities on social media, offer unique insights that traditional experts might overlook. By tapping into the experiences and perspectives of individuals at the end of the supply chain, reporters can uncover extraordinary stories that add depth to their reporting.

Conclusion

The economics of everyday things, like used hotel soaps, can have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and the lives of those in need. Clean the World’s innovative approach to recycling and donation serves as a powerful reminder that small actions can make a big difference in creating a more sustainable and compassionate world.