In a groundbreaking effort to combat plastic pollution, New York has enacted a single-use plastic toiletry bottles ban in hotels and motels with 50 rooms or more beginning on January 1, 2025. Smaller establishments will until 2026 to comply with the new regulations. The hospitality industry’s response has been largely positive. Many major hotel chains, such as Marriott International and Hilton, had already begun transitioning to bulk amenities, recognizing both environmental and cost benefits. However, smaller hotels express concerns about the transition’s cost and logistics, which New York is addressing through resources and guidance.
New York’s plastic bag ban, implemented in 2020, has already had positive environmental impacts. The ban on single-use toiletry bottles is a further step in the city’s broader strategy to combat plastic pollution.