My husband recently returned from another business trip, proudly brandishing several complimentary bags from the airplane. You know the ones - from the basic version with its sleep mask and slippers to the fancy sort with lotions, balms, and more. But my daughter’s first response was, “Why do you need this? They should given these things to homeless people who really need toothbrushes!”

Out of the mouths of babes. She is absolutely right to be indignant. Realistically, who travels without packing some basic necessities? And anyone flying in business class can certainly afford a new toothbrush if needed. So where are our priorities, and why aren’t we all outraged? It is not only the implication but also the sheer waste.

Now it must be said that Air Canada does have an arrangement with a Canadian company that claims to use renewable resources. They boast no synthetic colours along with no animal testing. The cranberry lip balm has beeswax and olive oil. Never mind the alcohol in the foot spray and lotion, or those parabens.

It is really more about the ethical issues. People who travel by plane have the resources to buy tickets, as a rule. A small tube of lotion is a feel-good exercise. Perhaps it offsets the fact that the traveller is forced to buy a sandwich when flying across the country on a 5-hour trip. It must be cheaper too. But frankly, I would prefer to know that for every passenger on every flight, a small bag of necessities has been delivered to someone in need. Socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, lip balm, lotion, and even a razor - those would be really useful.

Yes, businesses do offer incentives and perks to their customers. That is all part of the competitive market, at least these days. For example, Midwest Airlines provides chocolate chip cookies, while Horizon Air gives out regional wines and microbrews. Some travellers take their freebies as unplanned gifts for others - like a Salvatore Ferragamo travel set from Singapore Airlines. Perhaps the gesture doesn’t need to be so lavish. A survey in the UK revealed that respondents were keen on free entertainment, drinks, pillows, and blankets. Only 2% wanted those free socks! And the most popular item was the modest and utilitarian sick bag.

Perhaps it is time to examine the assumptions about freebies and think about the bigger picture. For instance, who really needs that free toothbrush? How many of these products go to waste? Why are we offering this type of incentive when attention is focused on environmental decline, global emissions, and skyrocketing petroleum prices? Why free slippers but no food on many flights? I know my husband would eagerly trade his little bag of amenities - plus those disposable headphones - if a mere muffin were on offer.

It seems to be children who cut to the core of the issue. They often recognize waste when they see it. They don’t turn away from needy homeless people, but instead ask why we can’t help. What more can we do? To reduce wasted freebies, why can’t airplanes have the same audio connectors as other electronic devices? Then most passengers would have their own headphones or earbuds to use. Why provide everyone with unnecessary toiletry items? Instead, try a coupon saying the airline has donated a backpack filled with amenities on behalf of every long-haul passenger. That would probably create more warmth and customer loyalty.