Starting in 2025, hotels in New York will be prohibited from providing small bottles of hospitality care products such as shampoo, lotion, conditioner, and body wash. The ban applies to hotels and motels with 50 or more rooms. The move is part of an initiative by the Environmental Protective Fund, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2021, to reduce single-use plastic pollution.
The news has been met with mixed reactions. Some travelers, like Leeshaun Dennery, are unhappy about the change. Dennery stated that it is “kind of unacceptable” and “shocking” as he expects hotels to provide basic essentials.
The average daily rate of a hotel room in the US in 2022 is nearly $150. The ban could potentially add to the expense for some travelers who may need to purchase their own hospitality care products, which could be an extra financial burden or a source of frustration.
Dennery also commented on the inconvenience, saying that after paying a significant amount for a hotel room, one would expect to have simple amenities like soap provided.
The state is suggesting alternatives to single-use containers, such as refillable dispensers. Hotels that violate the law will receive a notice for their first violation. If they fail to correct the violation within 30 days, they will be fined $250 and $500 for any subsequent violation in the same year.
Source: cnycentral.com