New York state has passed a law requiring hotels to eliminate small bottles of “hospitality care” products, such as shampoo and lotions, in an effort to reduce waste. Starting January 1, 2025, hotels with more than 50 rooms will not be allowed to provide toiletry bottles under 12 ounces, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation’s website.
The legislation, first introduced in 2019, defines “hospitality personal care product” as a product provided by a hotel for use on the human body for cleansing. The law stipulates that hotels breaking the restriction will initially receive a warning and have 30 days to correct the violation. Failure to do so will result in a civil penalty of $250. If the hotel continues to provide small bottles within the next 30 days, a $500 fine will be imposed.
Some large hotel chains, such as Marriott and Hilton, have already begun transitioning from small toiletry bottles to larger, pump-topped bottles. By the end of 2023, Marriott Hotels achieved 95% compliance for this transition across their managed and franchised hotels globally, with additional properties transitioning through 2024. As of 2023, Hilton properties were required to transition to full-size shampoo, conditioner, and soap amenities, eliminating single-use miniature bottles and reducing disposed bars of soap.
The rollout begins with large hotels, while starting in 2026, all hotels in New York will have to comply. The act was initially set to take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, but hotel industry lobbyists pushed for a delay so hotel staff could use bottles that were left in stock.
Last year, California implemented a similar law banning tiny toiletry bottles from the state’s hotels.
Source: foxbusiness.com