in
Society & Social Issues
—
The End of an Era: Why Your Illinois Hotel Room Won't Have Mini Toiletries Anymore (and How to Get Them Anyway)
Illinois's new Small Plastic Bottle Act bans mini toiletries in hotel rooms to cut plastic waste. While you'll now find bulk dispensers, you can still request a small bottle at the front desk. This article explores the law, the reasons for it, and the public's mixed reactions to the change.
That familiar collection of tiny, single-use plastic bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion has long been a staple of the hotel experience. For many travelers, they're a small convenience, a forgotten necessity, or even a souvenir. But in Illinois, that experience is officially changing, thanks to a new law aimed squarely at environmental sustainability.
What is the Small Plastic Bottle Act?
Effective July 1, 2024, the Illinois Small Plastic Bottle Act prohibits hotels with more than 50 rooms from providing personal care products in small, single-use plastic containers inside guest rooms. Smaller establishments will have until July 1, 2025, to comply. The goal is simple: to significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by the hospitality industry. These tiny bottles are notoriously difficult to recycle and often end up in landfills after just one use.
By staying in a hotel, we can make a positive impact on the environment without even trying... By transitioning to reusable plastic dispensers, we can prevent a significant amount of plastic from ending up in our landfills.– Illinois State Senator Laura Fine
The Loophole You Need to Know About
Before you start stockpiling toiletries for your next trip to Chicago, there's a crucial detail in the law. While hotels can't place the bottles in your room by default, they are still permitted to provide them to guests upon request at the front desk. This exception serves as a middle ground, accommodating guests who may have allergies to the bulk products, prefer the convenience of a personal bottle, or simply forgot their own supplies.
From Tiny Bottles to Bulk Dispensers: A Mixed Reaction
The alternative for most hotels is the large, wall-mounted bulk dispenser. While environmentally friendly, the switch has drawn mixed reactions from travelers. Supporters praise the move as a long-overdue step toward reducing unnecessary waste. However, critics often voice concerns about the hygiene of communal dispensers, worrying about potential tampering or cleanliness. Others feel the shift detracts from the premium feel of a hotel stay, arguing that bulk soaps and shampoos can feel generic or lower in quality. For hotels, it's a balance between embracing sustainability, managing costs, and maintaining a high standard of guest satisfaction.
A Nationwide Trend
Illinois isn't charting this course alone. This legislation follows a growing trend across the country and the world. States like California and New York have already enacted similar bans, and major hotel chains like Marriott and IHG had begun phasing out single-use plastics even before these laws were passed. The message is clear: the hospitality industry is moving toward a more sustainable model, and the era of the tiny plastic bottle is coming to an end.
So, the next time you check into an Illinois hotel, you'll likely see a sleek dispenser on the shower wall instead of a lineup of little bottles. It represents a small change in our travel habits but a significant step in reducing our collective environmental footprint. And if you really miss that tiny bottle, just remember—it might just be a quick ask away at the front desk.