Marriott bans single-use shampoo, bath gel bottles

Marriott International announced Wednesday that it will discontinue single-use bottles of shampoo, conditioner and bath gel at its 7,000 properties worldwide.

The world’s largest hotel chain will replace the small bottles with larger pump-topped dispensers by December 2020.

{mosads}Marriott estimates that the switch will prevent an estimated 1.7 million pounds of plastic going to landfills each year.

“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,” CEO and President Arne Sorenson said in a statement.

Marriott began the process of swapping out small bottles at about 1,000 of its North American locations, and will now expand the initiative to its worldwide properties.

InterContinental Hotels Group, which operates Holiday Inn, announced a similar initiative last month. The group predicts the move will eliminate about 200 million tiny bottles each year by 2021.

The move comes as other major companies, including Starbucks and McDonald’s, have moved to reduce or eliminate plastic products, including straws, as a means to cut back on waste.