PASSITON

I read with interest Simon Day’s letter [in the March 2020 issue] about the waste of amenity kits. I tend not to use them either, but I do save them up and pass them out in countries that are less affluent than ours. I just do it in an off-hand manner to hotel staff and the like: “Oh, look, I’m not really the sort of bloke who uses these. Do you want it? Otherwise I’ll just throw it away.”

A couple of years ago, in a South African safari lodge, I had four or five from three different airlines (American Airlines, British Airways and Qatar Airways) to hand out to the female staff (as well as a cash tip). They were delighted with them and were passing the contents around for inspection. Much sniffing of the creams and lip salves!

It was rather humbling to see how something we routinely jettison is treasured elsewhere. Keep them and donate them.