If you have just said goodbye to a favourite shampoo, a jar of Vegemite or a bottle of sunscreen at airport security, you are not alone. Every day, travellers pass through Brisbane Airport and surrender items that cannot go in carry-on luggage.
It is easy to feel frustrated when you have to give something up at security. You paid for it, and planned to have it on your trip. But your simple act of leaving an unopened item behind does not go to waste. Instead, it becomes an act of kindness that helps someone you may never meet.
As Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) has shared, redirecting these items to people who need them most makes far more sense than sending them to landfill, especially at a time when so many are struggling.
The team at The Lodge, pictured with Danni from GIVIT, with some of the donated toiletries from Brisbane Airport Corporation.underwear and essentials kindly provided by Hanes.
A small sacrifice that makes a big impact
In FY25, BAC donated more than 25,000 toiletries to GIVIT, providing support to those affected by increasing cost of living pressures and domestic and family violence.
The BAC team gather sealed toiletry and food products over the Powders, Liquids, Aerosols and Gel (PLAG) limit and have to be surrendered during security screening. The items are then sorted and set aside for donation to GIVIT. GIVIT then provides them to community partner organisations supporting people going through hardship.
One such organisation is The Lodge, who provide medium to long term accommodation with 24-hour support to at-risk young people aged 16-25. Most young people accessing the service are from disadvantaged backgrounds and as a result many have experienced homelessness, trauma, isolation, family breakdown and poverty. The Lodge supports young people to address these issues and equip them with the skills necessary to live independently, break the cycle of homelessness and engage positively in the community.
Another organisation that receives these toiletry donations is Gailes Community House, who shared:
"We were talking to the people who were taking the items and all of the feedback we received was so positive. They simply can't afford to buy these things now with the ever increasing cost of living. Families have told us that they're flat out keeping the roof over their head, never mind being able to afford a face cream or perfume.
One mum even said that she just doesn't even go down that aisle at the shops because she can't afford anything down the 'nice lane'. Another lady told us that the simple act of being able to have a shower with a nice body wash, then to moisturise and use a perfume is so amazing and it makes her feel really good about the day, and herself in general, and she's sleeping better.
Toiletries are expensive and take up a big portion of the family shopping budget. A lot of brands that come through from the airport donation are the types of things most of our community members couldn't afford. It's a chance for them to try a little luxury when otherwise they wouldn't be able to dream of it."
Cost of living crisis increases demand to an all-time high
Peter Doherty, Media & Corporate Affairs Manager at BAC, shared: “Discarding these items into landfill, particularly during a cost of living crisis makes no sense. Brisbane Airport goes to great lengths to ensure useful products are distributed to charities on the frontline helping Queenslanders in need.
Take the time to understand what you can carry onto an international flight so you don’t have to hand over any items you’ve paid good money for, but please know, any unopened items which are surrendered are going to Queenslanders who need it."
The reduction in waste is part of Brisbane Airport’s sustainability focus, which sees the airport now recycle 25.5% of its waste, with a target of zero waste to landfill by 2030.
“Through our partnership with Brisbane Airport, GIVIT was able to divert over 25,000 usable toiletries from landfill last financial year and distribute them to people experiencing hardship across the Brisbane region. This included domestic and family violence services, people experiencing homelessness as well as families struggling with the rising cost of living. These small donations, many of which we all take for granted in our daily lives, have a big impact on people doing it tough, with the added benefit of keeping items out of the waste stream,” said Christina Spehr, GIVIT's Head of Engagement.
Supporting the community at Christmas
Home Beyond Home, a community partner organisation registered with GIVIT, uses their donations of airport toiletries to help support the work they do to assist the local community through their community pantry.
On a typical pantry day, between 40–60 people benefit from the service. Once the open pantry concludes by midday, any remaining items are distributed to individuals, families, and disability accommodation services across the local area.
The donations brightened spirits last Christmas, with Home Beyond Home sharing:
"We were able to include these items in hampers distributed to individuals and families experiencing significant hardship, including financially vulnerable families, people affected by drug and alcohol challenges, mental health concerns, homelessness, and domestic violence.
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many recipients expressed their deep gratitude and specifically asked that their heartfelt thanks be conveyed to the donors. In total, more than 200 people benefited from these Christmas hampers, bringing much-needed relief, dignity, and hope during a very challenging time.
On behalf of everyone at Home Beyond Home and the families we support, please accept our sincere appreciation for your compassion and continued support. We are very grateful for the ongoing flow of toiletries and look forward to continuing this partnership."
Home Beyond Home hold regular open pantry days where people in the community can collect essentials, including toiletries donated by Brisbane Airport.
Demand is high for surrendered airport items like toiletries and food.
Kindness that reaches people without a home
An organisation providing homeless support across South Brisbane recently received some of the donated toiletries from Brisbane Airport, along with donations for daily essentials from our kindhearted community. They shared:
"GIVIT has made it possible for the kindness and generosity of the local community to support people who have experienced homelessness and mental health issues.
Items donated have changed peoples lives - in particular a person setting up a new home as well as prepare for the birth of a baby which would not have been possible without you. The recipients of donated items have been extremely grateful and humbled by the generosity."
How you can help right now
Every act of generosity shared through GIVIT's partnership with Brisbane Airport Corporation is making a difference, but there is always more to be done.
Across Australia, people experiencing homelessness and hardship are still reaching out for the essentials many of us take for granted. Through GIVIT, you can play a direct role in meeting these needs. A financial donation allows us to respond quickly and thoughtfully, ensuring the right support reaches the right person at the right time.
If this story has moved you, we invite you to take the next step. Give what you can today and help provide comfort, dignity and a fresh start for someone who needs it most.
