Turning hotel plastic and soap waste into a force for good – but more must be done
“It’s no secret that the scale of waste produced by the UK hospitality industry is staggering, but as more hotels join the fight against plastic and soap waste, the greater the positive impact on the environment and global hygiene efforts. However, there is still more to be done”
– Tommie Eaton, director of Clean the World UK and Europe.
To mark Global Recycling Day on 18 March, a growing number of UK hospitality businesses are stepping up to reduce their environmental footprint and inspire change by tackling soap and plastic waste in the industry.
The Scale of the Problem
UK hotels alone generate almost 289,000 tonnes of waste annually which includes soap, plastics and other disposables, and the environmental impact of this is massive.
We have witnessed a surge in plastic production over the past 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just 2 million tonnes of plastic. Today, that number has skyrocketed to over 450 million tonnes, with a significant portion ending up in our oceans and landfills[1].
Hotels are a significant contributor to this crisis. Put into context, a single hotel can use up to 300,000 pieces of single-use plastic every month[2], whilst the UK hotel industry discards an estimated 20 million partially used soap bars annually. Globally, an estimated 5 million partially used soap bars are thrown away every single day.
A Circular Solution: Turning Waste into Impact
The sheer volume of plastic and soap waste generated worldwide is unsustainable, but since its inception in 2009, Clean the World has been pioneering a sustainable solution for hotels, transforming used plastic amenities into plastic flakes which are repurposed into new products, and recycle discarded soap into fresh bars which are distributed to communities in need around the world.
Clean the World’s innovative Global Recycling Programme now partners with 8,300 hotels globally and has diverted 13.2 million kilos of waste from landfills since their inception. Whilst this is an incredible achievement, the need for broader industry-wide change remains urgent. Currently, only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled, and plastic production in the EU alone[3] generates 13.4 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.
The Important Role Soap Plays to Save Lives
The power of soap is not to be underestimated. It is an essential, yet often overlooked aspect of basic hygiene and sanitation, and plays a crucial role in saving lives, especially those of children. In 2022, over 1.5 billion people around the globe still lacked access to basic sanitation, contributing to the spread of preventable diseases[4]. Every day, more than 1,000 children under the age of five lose their lives due to poor hygiene and contaminated water[5].
Recycling soap directly addresses this crisis. Since 2009, Clean the World has distributed a staggering 88 million recycled soap bars to those in need thanks to the number of hotels committed to making a difference beyond just environmental sustainability.
Hospitality Leading by Example
A growing number of hospitality businesses recognise that small actions can have a significant impact. Not only are they reducing their environmental footprint and meeting their ESG targets, but they are quite literally saving lives.
Award-winning hotel group, THE PIG, is one such leader. The UK-based group operates a collection of lifestyle hotels and have long been recognised as a pioneer in sustainable hospitality thanks to their genuine commitment to environmental and social responsibility.
In 2023, THE PIG partnered with Clean the World’s soap-only recycling program, ensuring that all leftover soap was repurposed instead of going to waste. As a result:
- Over 1,100 kg of soap has been collected, which equates to donating 22,236 bars of recycled soap to communities in need
- 1,508 kg CO2e in carbon emissions have been reduced
- 30,650 litres of water have been saved
By donating recycled soap bars to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) the partnership is proof that luxury and environmental responsibility can successfully go hand in hand.
A Call to Action for the Hospitality Industry
The hospitality sector has a unique opportunity to drive positive change, not just in reducing waste but in supporting global health. Clean the World is more than a recycling initiative, it is a global movement enabling hotels to reduce pollution, save water, cut carbon emissions and improve – and save – lives.
With only a fraction of hospitality businesses currently participating, there is still so much more that can be done. Will your hotel be part of the solution?
To learn more about Clean the World, its impact and how your business can get involved, visit www.cleantheworld.org
