In a bid to tackle one of hospitality’s biggest waste challenges – discarded hotel bathroom amenities – a selection of Hyatt hotels across the UK and Ireland have joined forces with social enterprise Clean the World.

As participants in Clean the World’s Global Hospitality Recycling Programme, this collaboration showcases how innovative waste management solutions contribute to a sustainable circular economy by reducing single-use waste. It aligns with Hyatt’s World of Care ESG strategy which prioritises waste reduction, circularity, responsible sourcing and community engagement.

Since September 2023, 1,404 hotel rooms from five Hyatt properties in the UK and Ireland have been participating in the initiative, supporting sustainability and social impact by collecting discarded soaps and bottled amenities for Clean the World to recycle. The soap is repurposed into new bars and distributed to communities in need, whilst plastic bottles are processed into pellets for reuse.

The measurable impact of Hyatt’s sustainability efforts has been meticulously tracked through Clean the World’s advanced impact reporting system, backed by Greenview. Calculated against the energy cost of producing a new soap bar, the results underscore the significant environmental and social benefits of this initiative:

• Over 1,439 kg of discarded soap collected
• Over 1,843 kg of plastic amenity waste collected
• 29,018 recycled soap bars distributed
• 40,010 litres of water conserved
• 2,988 individuals in vulnerable communities supported

The positive impact of this initiative so far highlights the potential for meaningful change. 

Gabrielle Hutchison, ESG Communications Manager for Hyatt UK and Ireland, said: “At Hyatt, care is at the heart of everything we do. Through our World of Care ESG programme, we are committed to caring for the planet, people and responsible business. Taking part in Clean the World’s recycling programme allows us to align with our goals to minimise our environmental impact, create positive social change and drive responsible business practices through measurable results. We’re proud of the progress made to date, but we also recognise that sustainability is an ongoing journey and there is always more to be done.”

Whilst Tommie Eaton, Director of Business Development for Clean the World in Europe said: “This collaboration marks a significant step forward in sustainable hospitality in the UK and Ireland. Whilst waste is an inevitable challenge in tourism and hotel operations, implementing responsible waste management solutions creates a powerful opportunity for lasting change.

“Our programme serves a dual purpose: enabling hotels like Hyatt to responsibly reduce waste-to-landfill whilst providing life-saving hygiene resources to vulnerable communities worldwide. The impressive results achieved with just five Hyatt properties highlight the brand’s commitment to sustainability, and we are excited to build on this momentum to expand our efforts and drive even greater sustainability and social good.”

Discover how the soap recycling process works at a Hyatt UK and Ireland hotel in this short video.

For more information on Clean the World and its global impact, please visit www.cleantheworld.org.