Leading sustainable hospitality in the UK
NoVacancy London 2026 will take place at ExCeL London on 25–26 February 2026. As the UK’s newest hotel‑and‑accommodation expo, it promises two days of thought‑leadership sessions and an expo filled with more than 150 exhibitors. One session that stands out on Day 1 (25 February) at 16:00 is “Beyond the buzzword: the people turning hotel sustainability into reality”. Shawn Seipler, founder and CEO of Clean the World, will take the stage alongside moderator Grace Greensitt (CEO, GSI) and fellow panellist Caroline Gregory from The Lovat Loch Ness. Their discussion will explore how sustainability can move from a marketing slogan to measurable action in hotels across the United Kingdom.
About Shawn Seipler and Clean the World
Shawn Seipler launched social enterprise Clean the World in 2009 to tackle global waste and hygiene inequality. By partnering with more than 8,300 hotels worldwide, the organization collects leftover soap and plastic amenities and transforms them into new soap bars and hygiene kits for communities in need. As of early 2026, Clean the World has diverted over 31 million pounds of waste from landfills, distributed 116 million recycled soap bars and provided more than 7 million hygiene kits through The WASH Foundation.
Clean the World also operates a network of global offices and its team‑building division CTW Events gives corporate groups a hands‑on way to assemble hygiene kits for vulnerable communities. By recycling soap and plastic amenities, Clean the World helps hotels reduce their environmental footprint while contributing to global health initiatives.
What to expect from NoVacancy London 2026
The panel “Beyond the buzzword: the people turning hotel sustainability into reality” takes place in Theatre 3 at 16:00 on Wednesday 25 February. With hotels under increasing pressure to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, the session will explore practical solutions for reducing waste, conserving water and embedding sustainability into everyday operations. Moderator Grace Greensitt will guide the conversation between Shawn Seipler and Caroline Gregory, owner of The Lovat Loch Ness, an eco‑focused hotel in the Scottish Highlands. Attendees can expect to learn:
- How hotel recycling programs work – from collecting discarded soap to distributing lifesaving hygiene kits through The WASH Foundation.
- Ways UK hoteliers can reduce waste and carbon emissions, inspired by Clean the World’s achievements in diverting over 30 million pounds of waste.
- Real‑world stories from The Lovat Loch Ness demonstrating how independent hotels are integrating sustainability into their guest experience.
The discussion will emphasize the role of hospitality professionals in meeting global health challenges and highlight how simple changes—like joining a soap recycling program—can save lives. With UK hotels seeking to enhance their environmental credentials, this session offers actionable advice on turning sustainability commitments into concrete results.
Why UK hoteliers should attend
NoVacancy London is designed for hotel owners, general managers and procurement teams. By attending Shawn Seipler’s session, you will:
- Discover Clean the World’s Global Hospitality Recycling Program and understand how your hotel can participate to reduce landfill waste and support the WASH Foundation.
- Network with sustainability leaders such as Grace Greensitt and Caroline Gregory, who are pioneering eco‑hospitality in Britain.
Register for a free visitor pass at the NoVacancy London website and mark Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 16:00 in your diary. With the UK hospitality sector facing mounting regulatory and customer pressure to embrace ESG practices, this is a must‑attend session for operators who want to stay ahead.
Join us in London to Make Hospitality Greener
By attending NoVacancy London and hearing from Shawn Seipler, UK hoteliers and accommodation providers can discover practical steps to reduce waste, improve ESG performance and enhance guest satisfaction. Clean the World’s mission aligns perfectly with the UK’s drive toward net‑zero and circular economy initiatives. We look forward to seeing you at ExCeL London on 25–26 February 2026, and especially at the 16:00 session on Day 1—to explore how together we can turn hotel sustainability from a buzzword into reality.
