Collaboration Sets an Example for How Companies Can Work Together for Social Good
Just seven years after starting in a small Orlando garage, Clean the World has grown into a worldwide social enterprise with operations on three continents. The organization’s resources are primarily focused on recycling, soap distribution, and hygiene education. Therefore, international expansion would be impossible without the support of dedicated corporate partners, such as Hilton Worldwide and Guest Supply, a Sysco company.
When Clean the World made the move to launch a European operation last year, founder and CEO Shawn Seipler turned to those hospitality icons for advice, collaboration, and assistance.
“Since shortly after we founded Clean the World in 2009, Guest Supply has supported our mission with generous assistance across every area of the organization,” Seipler said. “And when it comes to hotel partners, we have more Hilton affiliates than any other hospitality flag – nearly one thousand Hilton properties. Both Hilton and Guest Supply have a deep commitment to our mission of saving lives through soap, and they reinforced their dedication to corporate social responsibility (CSR) when we approached them about our expansion into Europe.”
Seipler says the innovative three-way partnership between Hilton Worldwide, Guest Supply, and Clean the World not only helped his organization open up a new region, but it sets an example for how companies can work together for social good. “This relationship is the true definition of corporate social responsibility – this is what CSR looks like,” Seipler said. “Hilton and Guest Supply have set the bar high and provided a perfect example of how companies can come together with a social impact organization to drive social change and sustainability.”
That’s exactly what Hilton’s Max Verstraete wanted to accomplish. As Hilton Worldwide’s vice president of corporate responsibility and ADA compliance, he helps his company unite around global issues that connect business to society.
“We are building an integrated sustainability culture and creating programs that drive positive social impact,” Verstraete said. “Many of our employees are on the front lines working directly with collecting discarded soap and amenities for Clean the World. Now we are offering a deeper immersion experience by inviting team members to join us on a Clean the World soap distribution trip to Guatemala as part of our recognition initiative.”
Since 2009, Guest Supply has supported Clean the World’s mission with assistance in areas including logistics, soap donations, manufacturing consultation, sales and marketing support, and by contributing items for hygiene kits. Seipler says the ongoing assistance from Guest Supply is a testament to the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility.
“It is our goal at Guest Supply to help in making the life-saving efforts of Clean the World as successful and far-reaching as possible,” said Paul Xenis, president & COO of Guest Supply. “We have leveraged this sustainability program as a foundation to build a culture of social responsibility and we are proud to partner on this European expansion initiative.”
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 North America, Asia, and Europe. Clean the World provides hygiene education and microlending to make hand washing and local soap purchases a lifelong habit in developing regions. Through its hygiene kit program, Clean the World provides personal care items to relief organizations throughout North America. Since 2009, more than 34 million bars of Clean the World soap have been distributed in 100 countries. More information: http://localhost:8888/cleantheworld
About Hilton Worldwide
Hilton Worldwide (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, comprising more than 4,660 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties with nearly 765,000 rooms in 102 countries and territories. For 96 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of 13 world-class global brands includes 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, Tru 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 exclusive member rates, 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 http://news.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
About Guest Supply
Guest Supply, a Sysco company, has been the leading provider of hospitality products to the lodging industry for more than 35 years with more than 30,000 products sold in more than 25,000 well-known chains and independent properties around the globe. As the only global provider to the hotel and lodging industry, the company maintains relationships with leading hotels around the world. Manufacturing, distribution, and purchasing resources are strategically located in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, ensuring superior product selection and availability, as well as quick and efficient response to meet virtually every need. For more information, visit https://www.guestsupply.com.
