Introduction
Following the lead of California and New York, Illinois is on the path to becoming the third state in the U.S. to ban single-use hotel toiletry bottles. The Illinois State Senate has passed a bill, SB 2960, which aims to prohibit hotels from providing miniature plastic bottles of personal care products. Here’s an overview of what this means for hotels and the environment.
Details of the Legislation
Introduction of SB 2960
Introduced in January, SB 2960 seeks to eliminate single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in hotels. The legislation, sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), is designed to address the growing environmental concerns associated with plastic waste.
Implementation Timeline
The bill stipulates that hotels with 50 or more rooms must comply by July 1, 2025. Smaller hotels, those with fewer than 50 rooms, will have until January 1, 2026, to make the transition. This phased approach allows hotels adequate time to adapt to the new regulations.
Next Steps
Having passed the Illinois State Senate, SB 2960 will now proceed to the Illinois House of Representatives for further discussion and voting.
Comparison with Other States
California and New York
California was the first state to implement a ban on single-use hotel toiletry bottles, with regulations for larger hotels taking effect in 2023 and for smaller properties in 2024. New York followed suit, with its ban commencing on January 1, 2024, for hotels with 50 rooms or more and extending to smaller hotels by January 1, 2025.
Washington State
Washington State has also joined the movement, requiring hotels with 50 or more rooms to phase out single-use toiletry bottles by January 1, 2027. Hotels with fewer than 50 rooms must comply by January 1, 2028.
Environmental Impact
Reducing Plastic Pollution
State Senator Laura Fine emphasized the environmental benefits of the bill. “Personal products available in plastic bottles are common in hotels and pose an immediate risk to our environment once they are thrown away,” Fine stated in an April 10 press release. “This bill puts our state on the path to being part of a solution by reducing plastic pollution.”
Long-Term Benefits
Fine added that the legislation has the potential to “drastically reduce” plastic waste in Illinois. Last year, she also helped pass a bill requiring state agencies to track and reduce single-use plastic foodware purchases. “We need to take the steps that we can now to prevent our state from adding to the rise in plastic pollution nationwide and help people to be more mindful of the daily waste attributed to single-use plastic,” Fine said.
Conclusion
The move to ban single-use hotel toiletry bottles in Illinois represents a significant step towards reducing plastic waste and promoting environmental sustainability. As SB 2960 moves to the House for discussion, Illinois is poised to join California, New York, and Washington State in pioneering efforts to eliminate single-use plastics in the hospitality industry.
For the latest updates on environmental legislation and industry news, stay tuned.
In line with these efforts, Mudmasky is proud to announce that we are now offering refillable toiletries for hotels. Our commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness aligns with the global push to reduce plastic waste in the hospitality industry. Email: info@mudmasky.com / Subject: Hotels
