State legislators are considering passing a bill prohibiting hotels from providing customers with small plastic bottles for soap, shampoo and conditioner. The bill, which would come into effect in 2023, would encourage hotels to supply products in bulk distributors to reduce plastic waste.
Assembly member Ash Kalra of San José co-drafted the bill, known as AB 1162, which would apply to all accommodation establishments. Kalra said that small plastic bottles under 12 ounces represent a significant amount of waste and that its bill would help reduce the problem.
"By not offering small bottles of personal care products, hotels, motels and other accommodations can promote a more sustainable business and potentially reduce operating costs," he said. he stated as part of an analysis of the bill. "AB 1162 will take concrete steps to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in the accommodation industry and increase consumer awareness."
The bill was introduced in February and goes through the committees. Santa Cruz County passed a similar law last year banning small toilet bottles in hotels, reported CNN subsidiary KSBW.
The legislation comes as efforts were made to remove single-use plastics such as straws and bags. Critics say that these items take decades or more to decompose and end up polluting landfills and water bodies.
California has been at the forefront of the ban on single-use plastics and became the first state to ban plastic bags in 2014. The State of New York also decided to proceed in the same way last month.
Even before this legislation, hotels had already started opting for bulk distributors, which they say are cheaper and cheaper.
Marriott International announced Last April, he would replace individual bottles of soap, shampoo and conditioner with bulk dispensers in his showers. The program is expected to save an average of 250 pounds of plastic per year for a 140-room hotel, or about 23,000 plastic bottles, said Marriott at Lodging Magazine.
"It's a win-win situation in terms of sustainability, operational prospects and financial prospects," said Denise Naguib, vice president of sustainability at Marriott.
