Earth Day for Upcycling x Tie-Dye

Shanghai, 22 April – In celebration of Earth Day, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai partnered with Diversey to host a unique environmental initiative, showcasing practical actions and the sustainable reuse of waste materials. As part of this event, the hotel repurposed a significant quantity of discarded sheets into stylish and functional tote bags and charming plush toys, breathing new life into otherwise retired linens.​

To prepare for the initiative, hotel staff carefully inspected and sorted used linens replaced in guest rooms, ensuring each piece met the necessary standards for production. Creativity and craftsmanship were brought to the process by the Hangzhou Huiling Custody Centre in Shangcheng District, a non-governmental organisation (NGO). Through meticulous cleaning, cutting and sewing, the team transformed the everyday fabric into attractive, high-quality tote bags and plush toys suitable for daily use.

​This activity forms part of Diversey’s Creating Shared Value initiative, Linens For Life™. Every year, a typical hotel with 400 guest rooms generates approximately 2 to 3 tons of used linens, including bed sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths and staff uniforms. Traditionally, these linens are incinerated or sent to landfills. Linens For Life™, however, partners with hotels to collect these linens and repurpose them into basic garments, handbags and toys. The programme has already engaged over 2,000 participants across more than 70 cities in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

‘We hope that through activities like this, more people will recognise the value and potential of reusing waste materials’, said Mr Mark Kirk, General Manager of Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai. ‘Every sheet granted a second life through this initiative represents a meaningful step towards a more sustainable lifestyle.’

Several media representatives attended the event, helping to amplify awareness and inspire broader participation in environmental and recycling efforts.​

Looking ahead, Grand Kempinski Hotel Shanghai intends to make the linen upcycling project a regular part of its sustainability practices. The hotel also plans to further explore innovative environmental initiatives to support the development of a greener, low-carbon future. This event not only exemplifies the hotel’s deep-rooted commitment to environmental responsibility but also sets a benchmark for sustainable operations in the hospitality industry, encouraging other enterprises to join the journey towards responsible development.

 About Diversery

Diversey, a Solenis company, provides cleaning, hygiene and infection prevention solutions for the hospitality, food service, healthcare, beverage, and processed food and dairy markets. These solutions, which include advanced chemicals, digital technologies and value-added services, enable customers to build a cleaner, safer and more sustainable world. However, what differentiates us is our extension of CSR to creating shared value (CSV). By partnering with customers and NGOs, we tackle shared social and environmental challenges. Mutually beneficial programs like Soap For Hope™, Linens For Life™ and CoffeeBriques touch all three parts of sustainability with social, environmental and financial benefits.

About Hangzhou Huiling Custody Centre in Shangcheng District

Founded in 1990, Huiling is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) dedicated to serving adults with intellectual disabilities. It stands as China’s earliest and largest provider of comprehensive daycare services. The name ‘Hui Ling’, which translates to ‘wisdom’ and ‘soul’ separately, embodies the belief that individuals with mental disabilities possess the capacity to impart wisdom and love throughout society. Established in December 2012, the Hangzhou Huiling Custody Centre in Shangcheng District primarily caters to social organisations supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities aged 16 and above. Committed to facilitating an inclusive social life, fostering active participation in society and promoting integration, the centre provides vital support and assistance to individuals with intellectual disabilities.