If you’re used to grabbing those little bottles of lotion and shampoo during your hotel stay, there’s some news you might not appreciate.
Starting in 2025, hotels in New York with more than 50 rooms will no longer be allowed to provide these products to guests. Smaller hotels, with 50 rooms or fewer, have until 2026 to comply with this new law designed to cut down on waste.
Governor Kathy Hochul signed this bill back in 2021. Initially, the regulations were set to start in 2023 and 2024. However, due to lobbying efforts, the start date was pushed back. This change gives hotel owners time to use up the stockpiles of single-use products left over from the pandemic’s peak.
The goal is part of a larger initiative to reduce the use of single-use plastic products. As a result, hotels must stop using small bottles (12 ounces or less) for items like conditioner, shampoo, body wash, and lotion.
Big hotel chains such as Hilton and Marriott have already made the switch to communal dispensers. However, others will need to phase out their single-use products by January 1, 2025.
Hotels with fewer rooms have a bit more time, needing to comply by January 1, 2026.
California has also implemented a similar ban, which started in 2023. Meanwhile, Washington state has passed a measure to follow suit, but their regulations won’t take effect until 2027 and 2028. Illinois is on the way to becoming the next state to adopt similar rules, with a bill already awaiting the governor’s approval.
Some guests might not be thrilled with the change, but the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association fully supports it.
“The changes will be negligible for most hotels in the state,” says Mark Dorr, president of the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association. “About 75 percent of hotels are already using the reusable bottles.”
What do you think about hotels moving away from single-use plastic hospitality products? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments section.
