14 DAY TRIAL // What celebrities understand by the term of raising awareness on environmental issues is often limited to them showing up at press events, eventually donating money for the cause and then returning to their regular lives. With Jackie Chan, things are the other way around, as he recently revealed that he does his best to reduce wastage, including taking hotel toiletries with him and washing his own clothes.
In a recent interview, the legendary actor, known for his active involvement in environmental causes, has called out to all those who carelessly cause waste, thus harming the environment. He, for one, not only believes that hotels should charge for toiletries but also that each of us, as individuals, can act together to reduce waste of such products.
“Some people dispose [of] the toothbrush and soap after using [them] once or twice. It’s a waste. My habit is that once I un-wrap the soap which the hotels provide, I will carry it along with me until I finish using it. As long as items are provided free of charge, everyone will just use as much as they can; I always tell the hotel staffs, they should consider charging people for the items they use, so that they will think twice before using.” Chan explains.
However, it’s not just the soap and the towels that the actor and stuntman pays close attention to. According to him, he is also in the habit of washing his own clothes after wearing them once, which, in all fairness, is something that perhaps no other celebrity does on a regular basis, if ever. “I usually stay in the presidential suite whenever I travel; however I will wash my own undergarments and socks everyday when I return to my room. I will also inform the chamber maids that they do not have to change my bed sheets and towels everyday.” Chan adds.
For this actor, the same rules also apply while filming on location. To reduce waste, Chan and his crew admittedly go by the rule of the “golden flush,” which practically means that the last member of the crew to use the toilet must also flush. Speaking about all this is not embarrassing, Chan concludes, because, at the end of the day, it’s up to celebrities to set an example. “Artists make their appeal and the audience usually will respond to the call. That is the power of celebrities.” he adds.