London Gatwick has donated two tonnes of toiletries and hygiene products to local communities through a partnership with charity The Crawley and Horley Hygiene Bank.

Since the partnership began earlier this year, 2.1 tonnes of toiletries have been donated. The items include unused and unopened hygiene products such as shower gels, deodorants and shampoo, which were left behind at security by passengers.

The Hygiene Bank brings communities and businesses together to tackle hygiene poverty by providing products to those who need a helping hand.

The products collected at London Gatwick support two local schools, three local food banks, one food club, Ten Little Toes baby bank and the Danny Gallivan trust supporting homeless veterans.

Through the agreement with The Hygiene Bank, the airport expects to donate an estimated 10 tonnes of the forecast aerosol and cosmetics, that otherwise would have been waste, by the end of 2023.

Lauren McDaniel, Senior Commercial Operations Manager at London Gatwick said: “At London Gatwick we are always looking for ways we can both reduce waste and support local communities.

“Our waste goal is to recover 100% of our operational, commercial and construction waste for beneficial use by 2030 (beneficial use is defined as repair, reuse, donation, recycling, composting, or converting to fuel).

“This scheme demonstrates our ongoing commitment to meeting our goals and using resources more sustainably.

“We are investing in local programmes and partnerships that build better communities, enable social mobility, improve health and wellbeing and support people.”