If you love using the small bottles of lotion and shampoo provided by hotels, here’s some news that might surprise you. Starting in 2025, all hotels in New York state with more than 50 rooms will no longer offer these complimentary toiletries.
Smaller hotels with 50 or fewer rooms have until 2026 to comply with this new rule aimed at reducing waste.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed this bill into law in 2021. Originally, the new regulations were set to begin in 2023 and 2024, but lobbyists pushed for a delay. They wanted to give hotel owners time to use up the backlog of single-use products they had from the pandemic.
Why the Ban?
The ban is part of a larger effort to cut down on single-use plastic. It requires hotels to stop using bottles of 12 ounces or less for items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer.
Some big hotel chains like Hilton and Marriott have already switched to using communal dispensers in their bathrooms. These hotels are ahead of the game, but others will need to phase out their single-use products by January 1, 2025. Smaller hotels have until January 1, 2026, to make the change.
Similar Changes in Other States
New York isn’t the only state making this move. California has already put a similar ban in place, which started in 2023. Washington state also passed a measure, but their rules don’t kick in until 2027 and 2028. Illinois might be next, as they recently sent a bill to the governor that would ban single-use plastic bottles in hotels.
What Do People Think?
While some hotel guests might not be happy about losing their small bottles of shampoo and body wash, many in the industry support the change.
Mark Dorr, president of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association, said, “The changes will be negligible for most hotels in the state. About 75 percent of hotels are already using the reusable bottles.”
Your Thoughts?
What do you think about hotels banning single-use plastic toiletry bottles? Do you like the idea, or will you miss the convenience of the small bottles? Let us know in the comments!
