In a move aimed at reducing plastic waste, a new state law will soon prohibit Illinois hotels from offering small, single-use plastic bottles of personal-care items to guests. The Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act, signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker last month, will affect hotels differently based on their size, with larger establishments being required to comply by July 1, 2025, and smaller hotels by January 1, 2026. The ban targets bottles smaller than 6 ounces and applies to products such as shampoo, hair conditioner, and bath soap.
Hotels that fail to adhere to the ban will receive a written warning for their first offense, and, can be fined up to $500 for any subsequent violations. The law stipulates that these personal-care items can still be provided to guests, but only upon request and not in guest rooms or public restrooms. WGN reports that many hotels in the state have already begun transitioning to refillable containers in anticipation of the law taking effect.
The enforcement of the new regulation will be the responsibility of the State’s Attorney or municipal attorney. Hotels found in violation for a second time or more could face stiffer penalties, with fines of up to $1,500. The implementation date is staggered, with hotels having 50 or more rooms getting roughly six months in advance to comply as opposed to those with fewer than 50 rooms. This legislative action follows in the footsteps of other states like Washington, New York, and California, which have already taken similar measures against single-use plastics.
Environmental responsibility appears to be at the forefront of the hospitality industry's agenda in Illinois. "While most hotels are already in compliance with this bill and have proactively replaced these products with more environmentally-friendly options, we remain committed to strengthening sustainability efforts and reducing waste within our industry," Michael Jacobson, President, and CEO of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, told WGN. He also extended gratitude towards Sen. Laura Fine for her role in getting this bill codified, ensuring that "common-sense sustainability efforts" become the baseline for the state's hotels. Prior legislative efforts in Illinois have seen a partial ban on Styrofoam containers, restricting their use to state facilities and agencies only.
This legislation forms part of a broader environmental initiative to curb plastic waste and promote sustainability in the hotel industry. Illinois joins a growing list of states taking legislative action to promote eco-friendly practices and reevaluate the use of non-reusable plastics within the service sectors, a move appreciated by stakeholders in the hospitality industry and environmental advocates alike.
