Hanoi (VNA) - The Linens for Life project, aiming to recycleused hotel linens and create livelihoods for the poor, was launched in Hanoithis month.

The project is run by Center for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population(CCIHP) and Sealed Air company.

“Linens for Life aims to provide a livelihood to local communities throughcreative conversions of used lines into items for sale,” said Stefan Phang, theproject’s founder.

As Vietnam continues to grow, many international hotels have opened in thecountry in recent years. This makes more waste, which creates pressure on environment,said Phang.

Each hotel typically has six types of waste: used guest soap, guest amenities,condemned linens, plastic water bottles, buffet food and coffee grounds, Phangadded.

The project will collect used linens from hotels, which range from towels, bedcovers, cushion covers, curtains and staff uniforms. Then, they will allocatethese materials to locals, providing them training on how to recycle and makenew products – bed covers for hospitals, kids’ uniforms, bags, sleeping bags orcooking aprons.

“I strongly believe that people don’t want charity, they want to work. When wecan give them livelihood, they are happy and confident that they can make moneyand value,” Phang said.

“The project is about environmental and social protection, and hygiene as well.That’s why we call it Linens for Life. It’s life and livelihood,” Phangadded.

“In many health facilities in remote areas, it is hard to find a cloth for bedcover. Recently we have collected about 100 cloths and gave them to sixcommunes of Sơn La province, the health officers here were very happy andappreciative. These cloths are then used to cover their equipment and used asbed covers,” said Deputy Director of CCIHP Pham Vu Thien.

Implemented in Cambodia, Philippines and Thailand with the support of 40hotels, the project has uplifted more than 200 underprivileged people.

Linens for Life will be helpful in Vietnam and is expected to benefit 400to 500 people here, said Phang.

The project started collecting used linen at Hilton and Melia hotel from June 3and is calling for more hotels to join hands.-VNA