Marriott Vacation Club, a global leader in vacation ownership and brand of Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation (NYSE:VAC), announces a partnership with Clean the World Foundation, Inc., a leader in the global hygiene revolution. Clean the World recycles partially used bars of soap and bottled amenities from resorts in the United States and distributes the new soap and hygiene kits to communities that lack access to these essential items.
Each day 9,000 children around the world die from diseases such as acute respiratory illness and diarrheal diseases which can be prevented by washing with soap. Clean the World has a mission to put soap in the hands of people who need it most to improve hygiene and sanitation conditions, to reduce the impact of disease and to promote better hygiene and living conditions worldwide.
?This is a great program that helps so many and we?re excited to be involved. To be able to repurpose an item that previously had been discarded to make such a difference to those in need is very rewarding,? said Lee Cunningham, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer ?North America and the Caribbean, Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corporation. ?Our associates and resorts are committed to causes within our communities and beyond, and to children in need. Clean the World has powerfully brought both of these values together with the best bottom line result ? saving lives,? said Cunningham.
Currently, 31 of 43 Marriott Vacation Club resorts in the United States have contributed over 9,800 lbs. of soap and 6,100 lbs. of bottled amenities which have been recycled at Clean the World?s three recycling facilities in North America. As a result, more than 52,500 clean bars of soap and hygiene kits have been distributed to 55 countries, diverting 8 tons of waste from landfills across the country.
?Marriott Vacation Club, our first timeshare partner, is a prime example of the true commitment we witness among our partners with regards to sustainability and social responsibility,? says Shawn Seipler, CEO and co-founder of Clean the World. ?The Owners and guests who vacation in the timeshare villas can feel good knowing that their partially used amenities, which previously would have been discarded into landfills, are now being recycled and given to children and families in desperate need of hygiene products in the U.S. and worldwide.?
In 3 years, Clean the World has recycled and distributed over 10 million bars of soap to families in the U.S. and 55 other countries, while diverting over 1.4 million pounds of landfill waste.