Air travelers' discards help the homeless in Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. — Toiletries discarded at the airport because of new security rules have turned into a boon for the homeless in Eugene.

The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County has started picking up some of the items people have jettisoned for security reasons before they board flights at the Eugene airport.

Charley Harvey, assistant executive director of the charity, dug through trash bags Tuesday and took every bottle of shampoo and shaving cream he could find. The items will be distributed at the organization's First Place Family Center.

After investigators uncovered a plot in Britain to blow up U.S.-bound aircraft, travelers tossed the items into trash bins in compliance with new security rules prohibiting most liquids, lotions and gels in carry-on luggage.

"We're always looking for shampoo, toothpaste and other toiletries to help homeless families," Harvey said. "It usually takes us a week or two to get this much (donated by the public). Hopefully, it's an ongoing windfall."

TSA spokeswoman Jennifer Peppin said her agency didn't have a problem with the salvage operation because the toiletries the social service organization picked up were dumped voluntarily into city-owned bins outside of checkpoints and were not seized by authorities.

Banned items discovered by federal checkpoint screeners are required to be confiscated and disposed of by a contractor, Peppin said.