Toiletries Amnesty, the NGO tacking hygiene poverty and beauty industry waste has been recognised as a ‘Point of Light’ by the Cabinet Office.
Through ‘Points of Light’, the Prime Minister awards an outstanding volunteer or charity leader for their inspirational service as a ‘Point of Light’, as part of a cross-party supported programme to promote the value of voluntary action.
Karen Harvey, from Cambridgeshire, founded Toiletries Amnesty in 2014, which saves millions of pounds worth of beauty products from landfill every year through the distribution of unused toiletries.
Ten years later, Toiletries Amnesty now supports over 800 charitable organisations, including homeless shelters, hostels, refuges, food banks, NHS services, LGBTQ+ groups and more by providing access to free hygiene products, toiletries and cosmetics, and providing a simple way for people to donate unwanted toiletries, via their online directory, to those in need. In 2023, they supported 4 million individuals across the UK and around the world.
“We started with two bottles of shampoo, and ten years on we’re supporting 4 million people and saving thousands of tonnes of products from landfill. This is something everyone can get involved with and help make a difference in their local communities and around the world. Small gestures can have a big impact and I’m grateful for every opportunity to let more people know about the work we are doing at Toiletries Amnesty to end hygiene poverty and divert beauty industry waste.” – Karen Harvey, Toiletries Amnesty Founder.