It seems that hotels are catching on to the idea of removing single-use plastics, with Marriott International announced that it’s expanding an initiative to replace single-use toiletry bottles of shampoo, conditioner and bath gel in guest room showers with larger, pump-topped bottles.
Marriott International New Amenities, now with added pump action – Image, Marriott International
Currently, the company has already rolled out larger bottles at about 1,000 properties in North America and now expects most of its other hotels to make the switch by December 2020.
20% of the hotel’s properties currently have pump-action large bottle amenities installed.
Marriott estimates that this will prevent about 500 million bottles annually from going to landfills.
Currently, 20 percent of Marriott properties now offer larger-pump-topped bottles in guest room showers. Currently, these are offered in Aloft Hotels, Element by Westin, Four Points and Moxy Hotels, with AC by Marriott following.
The next brands to switch will include Courtyard by Marriott, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, Fairfield by Marriott and TownePlace Suites
In quotes
“This is our second global initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics in just over a year, which underscores how important we believe it is to continuously find ways to reduce our hotels’ environmental impact. It’s a huge priority for us,” said Arne Sorenson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International. “Our guests are looking to us to make changes that will create a meaningful difference for the environment while not sacrificing the quality service and experience they expect from our hotels.”
Saving on plastic, saving on the bottom line
A move like this plays well to two lines – the eco message which companies are keen to get out. The other message, of course, is the production cost of these miniatures of lotion, shampoo and conditioner – which are substantial when you need to bottle it all.
By switching to larger amenity bottles, guests use what they need (which prevents wastage) and also reduce the cost of the little bottles.
Combined with the eco message, it becomes a rather tempting thing.
Marriott International isn’t the first to do this (with IHG announcing a plan earlier this year, and many other hotels already doing this – such as Travelodge, Premier Inn, Accor Ibis and so on).
But ever little change can help.
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Please fix title – you mean “globally” not gobally.