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Social Justice

Changemakers: Beauty Banks is solving hygiene poverty

With austerity hitting hard, Beauty Banks was established to fight hygiene poverty by redistributing cosmetics and hygiene products to charity

This week’s Changemakers Top 100 special edition features the world’s leading thinkers, shakers and agitators. Throughout the week we’ll be highlighting just a few online.

Beauty Banks was launched by journalist Sali Hughes and global director of beauty for PR firm The Communications Store, Jo Jones, last year. A charity running on a foodbank model, donations of essential care and cosmetic products are collected, repackaged and redistributed to charities who can ensure they end up in the hands of people who will benefit most.

Frustrated by seeing increasing waste and excessive luxury within the industry, Hughes and Jones set up the organisation, fighting hygiene poverty while many hit by austerity and Universal Credit have to choose between cleanliness and food.

Beauty Banks has also linked up with online cash-and-carry Easho to allow people to donate remotely – by buying products online to be sent straight to the charity. This year they want to encourage others to set up similar projects in their communities, meanwhile expanding their network of ‘beauty spot’ donation drop-off points across the country. To donate head to easho.co.uk/beauty-bank

Image: Sali Hughes

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