Each year, hotels across the UAE throw away an estimated 16 million bars of soap – many after just a single use.
Now, a growing number of hotels are signing up to a grassroots recycling programme that is tackling the waste head-on, transforming used soap into new bars for communities in need.
Launched in 2023, the Unisoap UAE initiative – powered by sustainability platform Goumbook and modelled on a French non-profit – is offering a rare win-win: cutting hospitality waste while boosting hygiene access for vulnerable groups.
“It's a practical solution that serves both people and planet,” says Goumbook founder Tatiana Antonelli Abella. “And it's gaining momentum.”
So far, Goumbook has distributed 10,000 recycled soaps under the initiative.
Leading hotel brands supporting the campaign include Atlantis Dubai - which operates Atlantis, The Palm and Atlantis The Royal - Saadiyat Rotana and Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
"We are proud to partner with Goumbook and Unisoap UAE to help transform soap that would otherwise be destined for the landfill into new soap bars for disadvantaged communities,” said Kelly Timmins, director of marine animal operations and sustainability at Atlantis Dubai, in a testimony shared on Goumbook's website.
From luxury waste to vital resource
Globally, 2.3 billion people still lack basic handwashing facilities at home, according to the World Health Organisation. Yet, in hotel suites across the world, soaps are routinely tossed out after a single use.
“We realised that soap is not just waste, it's a resource made from water and natural materials and it's vital for hygiene,” Ms Abella told The National.
After early experiments with local start-ups, Goumbook formed a strategic partnership with Unisoap in France, leveraging its technical expertise to launch the UAE arm of the project. Today, the initiative works with 15 hotels, including major names such as Atlantis The Palm, Atlantis The Royal, Shangri-La Dubai, Rotana Saadiyat and Centara Mirage, with more coming on board.
How soap is recycled
Housekeeping staff are trained to separate used soaps into branded Unisoap boxes. These are collected monthly by recycling partners, then delivered to a soap lab where each bar undergoes a meticulous cleaning process: the outer layer is grated off by hand, soaps are thoroughly washed and then remanufactured – without mixing brands, colours or scents.
“The result is a high-quality bar that looks and smells just like new,” said Ms Abella. “And crucially, there's no plastic or packaging involved.”
Zero waste, big impact
In keeping with World Environment Day's 2025 theme – cutting single-use plastic – Unisoap UAE goes beyond soap. Used hotel bed linens and towels are repurposed into washbags or reusable sponges to accompany the soaps in hygiene kits, distributed unpackaged to eliminate waste.
The initiative reflects the UAE's increasing alignment with circular economy principles and environmental goals.
“We've designed this project to work hand in hand with national sustainability targets,” said Ms Abella. “It's a practical solution that creates both environmental and social value.”
So far, more than three tonnes of soap have been recycled through the initiative, benefiting low-income communities during Ramadan, as well as organisations such as the Al Ihsan Foundation in Sharjah, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, the Giving Family, Amal Community and Happy Happy.
Empowering women and educating communities
The social impact is just as important as the environmental one. Unisoap UAE targets women and children as key recipients, and engages women in every level of the process – from hotel housekeeping staff to charity partners and end users.
“We often forget that not everyone has access to something as basic as soap,” said Ms Abella.
“Through this initiative, we also raise awareness about hygiene – how and why it matters.”
The project operates through a combination of hotel contributions and corporate sponsorships. Sponsors can fund the production and distribution of soaps to specific communities while Goumbook covers early-stage costs to prove concepts and scale up.
There are also plans ready to expand the model to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where interest is growing.
Call to action: Join the circular economy
To mark the Year of Community, Goumbook is organising clean-ups and community events across the UAE and is inviting residents to volunteer, donate or share ideas for future projects.
Soap is just one piece of the puzzle, said Ms Abella. “If we can change how we view waste – whether it's a bar of soap or a discarded towel – we can make a real difference. And we'd love more people to join us.”
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The Case For Trump
By Victor Davis Hanson
What are the influencer academy modules?
- Mastery of audio-visual content creation.
- Cinematography, shots and movement.
- All aspects of post-production.
- Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
- Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
- Tourism industry knowledge.
- Professional ethics.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday
Second leg
Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm
Game is on BeIN Sports
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh100,000 (estimate)
Engine 2.4L four-cylinder
Gearbox Nine-speed automatic
Power 184bhp at 6,400rpm
Torque 237Nm at 3,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.4L/100km
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Company%C2%A0profile
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Ferrari
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Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
The smuggler
Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple.
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.
Khouli conviction
Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.
For sale
A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.
- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico
- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000
- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
More on Quran memorisation:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
Match statistics
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 36 Bahrain 32
Harlequins
Tries: Penalty 2, Stevenson, Teasdale, Semple
Cons: Stevenson 2
Pens: Stevenson
Bahrain
Tries: Wallace 2, Heath, Evans, Behan
Cons: Radley 2
Pen: Radley
Man of the match: Craig Nutt (Harlequins)
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
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