The Bulles solidaires association organizes collections of personal hygiene products from individuals, providing collection boxes in businesses, companies, and public places listed on its website, allowing everyone to drop off products purchased specifically or those they no longer use, new, unopened, unexpired, undamaged, and clean. Almost everything you can find in a bathroom: soap, shampoo, shower gel, moisturizer, hair masks, makeup, toothbrushes, menstrual products, condoms… Professionals, such as major cosmetic or pharmaceutical brands, also make donations.
The majority of the 6 tons of products collected each year are made available to social action structures in the area: shelters, day centers, to redistribute to the people they support. No pre-packaged kits, but tailored solutions based on the needs of individuals, also to avoid waste.
The products can also be distributed during outreach walks in the streets of Rennes. A mobile shower camper, the Bulle mobile, also allows people to wash for free.
In total, approximately 5,000 people are helped each year by Bulles solidaires through its various initiatives.
“Personal hygiene is essential for health reasons, to prevent infections, cavities, but also for dignity and self-esteem,” explains the coordinator and founder. “It’s both the image we reflect back to ourselves when we see our reflection, but it’s also the image we project to others. And it’s a crucial link for considering potential social and professional reintegration. Access to personal hygiene is just as important as access to food or housing. It’s simply inseparable in terms of human rights,” concludes Laure-Anna Galeandro-Diamant.
Bulles solidaires also organizes awareness workshops in schools or businesses.
