Courtesy: Wendy Altschuler | News Source: forbes.com

Plastic is big business and a big threat to our environment; however, big changes are happening. Wall mounted bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel are replacing travel-sized plastic toiletries at leading hotels across the globe. This major move follows the movement of eliminating or reducing single-use plastics, like straws, across major hotel brands around the world.

Eight million metric tons of plastic ends up in our oceans every year and if we don’t make major changes, there could be more plastic than fish in our oceans by 2050. Read on to discover how hotels are paving the way for sustainability and care for the environment.

Hyatt Hotels

Heap of used plastic straws on background of clean tropical beach and ocean waves

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Heap of used plastic straws on background of clean beach and ocean waves. Plastic ocean pollution, ... [+]

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation is making a concerted effort at the company’s 875 properties in over 60 countries, when it comes to corporate responsibility and eliminating or reducing plastic pollution that is detrimental to the environment. Larger bottles will replace smaller ones in many hotel rooms, water stations will be situated around public spaces for refilling reusable bottles, and water will be served in carafes at business meetings and corporate events in lieu of single-use water bottles, where water quality isn’t an issue.

Plastic straws and drink picks are no longer automatically provided and Hyatt Hotels are increasing the use of recyclable to-go food containers. Refillable water bottles, instead of single-use plastic bottles, are offered to guests at check-in at many resorts including Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, Hyatt Ziva Cancun, and Miraval Austin. Fitness centers at North American Hyatt Hotels currently offer recyclable earbuds instead of single-use ones.

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Intercontinental Hotels Group Eco friendly Stripped paper straws

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IHG, a large well-known brand that owns Holiday Inn and Kimpton hotels, is moving toward removing small toiletries in its 843,000 guest rooms and switching to bulk-sized bathroom amenities in its effort to reduce the waste footprint as a brand standard. Plastic straws have already been removed.

Marriott Hotels

The world’s largest hotel chain, Marriott International, is eliminating mini toiletries in a global initiative that is sure to create a big impact. By 2020, Marriott International will replace all of the little bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and bath gel with larger pump-style alternatives. These tamper-resistant bottles, which add up to about 500 million small bottles each year, or 1.7 million pounds of plastic, will greatly reduce the hotels’ environmental impact at 7,000 hotels in 131 countries, under 30 different brands.

Others Will Follow bathroom amenity set

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rectangle bottles of amenity set in bathroom

California has set the standard for reducing plastic waste with a law banning mini bottles in hotels, which will take effect by 2024. Violators of this new law could be subject to monetary fines.

AccorHotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Walt Disney Company are working toward eliminating non-biodegradable plastic straws.

Savvy travelers tend to be on board with sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. Hotel groups that follow these practices will also save on expenditures, just as advising guests to reuse towels and linens to save water also helps hotels save on laundering costs. It’s a win-win.

Ten Ways You Can Help When You Travel Children volunteers cleaning up beach litter

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1.   Don’t use plastic straws and instead opt for paper ones.

2.   Bring a reusable water bottle with you when you travel and refill with filtered water at airports, hotels, and restaurants.

3.   Don’t use plastic bags and, instead, opt for reusable cloth bags.

4.   Conserve water by reusing bath towels and linens.

5.   Purchase locally-made souvenirs and crafts.

6.   Use public transportation, rent a bicycle, or walk to get from A to B.

7.   Consider volunteering or joining a local clean-up event when you travel to a new destination.

8.   Choose responsible tour operators and stay at eco-friendly hotels.

9.   Use a reusable water bottle on your flight or hold onto your plastic cup for the duration of your flight.

10. Consider purchasing clothing and goods made out of recycled plastics and only use reef-safe sunscreen while swimming in the ocean.