ARLINGTON, Va. — The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has launched a brand new program at Reagan National Airport that gives gently or unused toiletries over 3.8 ounces to people in need at local shelters and nonprofits.
"We have an excess amount of waste that was going to landfills and a lot of products that we were seeing tossed out," said Courtnie Gore, a social impact specialist, with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
The "Donate, Don't Discard" program launched at the Terminal 2 security checkpoint in April 2024, and so far, nearly 3,000 items have been donated and more than 1,000 pounds of waste have been diverted from landfills.
"We’re talking folks who are getting to the security checkpoint and saying, 'Oh man, I forgot I do have this lotion' or their bag doesn’t pass through the screening at that point the passenger voluntarily discards of the items in the receptacle at the checkpoint," said Gore. "We have a concerted team of custodians and supply management teams who actually parcel through the bins to collect those gently used or new items, clean them and then we distribute them."
Gore said the items collected have gone to Bethany House of Northern Virginia, which helps to support survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and the Northwest Community Food Pantry Kitchen in D.C.
"Things like sunscreen for those who are without housing and who are in the summer streets without protection, deodorant, body wash, toothpaste, there are so many items we're able to donate to give folks who are transitioning or in really rough times a human experience," said Gore.
During Tuesday's event, 613 items were collected. That translates to about 220 pounds of waste.
Gore said they want to encourage people to practice sustainability. The program is currently only available at DCA, but the MWAA has plans to bring it to Dulles International Airport soon. Before the end of the year, Gore said designated bins will be available for passengers to discard of oversized liquid and toiletries.