Hilton Paris Opera is First Hotel in European Continent to Recycle Discarded Soap through Clean the World
Hilton expands partnership with Clean the World to bring innovative
recycling program to Europe and support communities in need.
PARIS & MCLEAN, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In celebration of Global Handwashing Day, Hilton Worldwide (NYSE:HLT)
and Clean the World today announced that Hilton Paris Opera is the first
ever hotel in continental Europe to partner with Clean the World. Hilton
Paris Opera will lead the European roll-out of Clean the World by
contributing discarded soap and bottled amenities that will be recycled
to benefit European citizens who are at risk for hygiene-related
illnesses. As the world’s largest soap recycler, Clean the World has
contributed to a 30 percent reduction in pre-adolescent deaths from
hygiene-related illnesses since 2009. Hilton signed a master agreement
with Clean the World earlier this year making it the organization’s
largest hotel partner.
When Clean the World set out to establish a presence in Europe, the
United States-based social enterprise focused on cities where there is a
high density of hotel rooms, a dedication to environmentally friendly
practices and committed hotel partners. Paris became a natural choice
for expansion not only because Paris is one the world’s top tourist
destinations but also an early commitment from one of the city’s leading
hotels, Hilton Paris Opera.
“Since 2009, Clean the World has distributed more than 700,000 hygiene
kits in the United States, Canada, and Asia, while diverting 3,600
metric tons of waste from landfills,” said Clean the World founder and
CEO Shawn Seipler. “European hotels have a strong commitment to managing
their environmental footprint and are always looking for new ways to
embrace responsible. This expansion is significant for us, and we
couldn’t ask for a better launch partner than Hilton Paris Opera and
Hilton Worldwide. The timing of this announcement is especially
meaningful for us, because today is Global Handwashing Day.”
Seipler says there has been increasing interest in soap recycling as
awareness of Clean the World spreads through the hospitality industry.
Among those championing the drive for the organization to debut in
Europe was Hilton Paris Opera General Manager, Sofia L. Vandaele.
“I learned about Clean the World in 2009 when I managed a hotel in New
York City and implemented the program there in three different
locations,” said Vandaele. “They offer a clever, inventive solution that
reduces our landfill impact while also helping people who are at risk
for hygiene-related illness. I’m proud Hilton Paris Opera is the
inaugural Clean the World partner in France and on the European
continent, bringing our global partnership to life in this part of the
world.”
Hilton Worldwide is Clean the World’s largest global partner, with more
than 560 properties participating in the soap and bottled amenity
recycling program, “Our partnership with Clean the World is a testament
to the efforts of our hotels around the world to reduce our impact on
the environment,” said Maxime Verstraete, vice president of
sustainability, Hilton Worldwide. “We are very proud to see our
partnership with Clean The World help expand soap recycling and hygiene
to new territories.”
Soap reprocessing is just one element of Hilton’s larger global waste
solutions program known as RePurpose, which focuses on eliminating waste
sent to landfills. RePurpose provides resources that support Hilton’s
global portfolio of hotels in their efforts to reduce waste and increase
recycling of items ranging from soap to bed mattresses to food.
Collectively, hotels have reduced waste by more than 26 percent over
five years, achieving the company’s initial waste goal two years ahead
of schedule.
About Clean the World
Clean the World is a social enterprise dedicated to the mission of
saving millions of lives around the world while simultaneously diverting
hotel waste from landfills. The organization collects discarded soap and
other hygiene products from more than 4,000 hotel and resort partners,
and operates recycling centers in Orlando, Las Vegas, Montreal, and Hong
Kong. Clean the World’s Global Soap Project promotes and provides
hygiene education and microlending to make hand washing and local soap
purchases a lifelong habit. Through its “ONE Project,” Clean the World
provides hygiene kits to relief organizations throughout North America.
Since 2009, more than 29 million bars of Clean the World soap have been
distributed in 99 countries. More information on https://cleantheworld.org/
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company,
spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and
resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 96
years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition
of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of
twelve world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,440
managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties,
with more than 730,000 rooms in 97 countries and territories, including
Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels
& Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio – A Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree
by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by
Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton
Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer
loyalty program, Hilton HHonors®. Hilton HHonors members who book
directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to benefits
including free standard Wi-Fi, as well as digital amenities that are
available exclusively through the industry-leading Hilton HHonors app,
where HHonors members can check-in, choose their room, and access their
room using a Digital Key. Visit news.hiltonworldwide.com
for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at facebook.com/hiltonworldwide,
twitter.com/hiltonworldwide,
youtube.com/hiltonworldwide,
flickr.com/hiltonworldwide,
and linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.
About Travel with Purpose
Travel with Purpose is Hilton Worldwide’s commitment to provide shared
value to its business and communities around the world. As the driving
strategy for Hilton Worldwide’s corporate responsibility efforts, Travel
with Purpose focuses on creating opportunities for individuals to reach
their full potential; strengthening local communities where Team Members
live, work and travel; celebrating cultures and the power of travel; and
living sustainably through the measurement, analysis and improvement of
the use of natural resources. Visit http://cr.hiltonworldwide.com/
Contacts
Press Contacts:
Huw Harrow
Hilton Worldwide
+44
(0) 207 856 8035
huw.harrow@hilton.com
or
Grayling
France
Henrik Nourry
01 55 30 80 91
hiltonworldwide@grayling.com
or
Clean
the World
John Terry
407-405-7479
jterry@cleantheworld.org
