IHG has announced that they will be eliminating bathroom miniatures and offering bulk-size amenities at all properties and brands in an effort to reduce plastic waste. The transition is expected to be completed during 2021. Currently IHG uses a massive 200 million bathroom miniatures annually. In late 2018 IHG announced the removal of single-use plastic straws.
Personally I think this is a great move, mass use of single use plastics isn’t sustainable in the long term. I’m sure we will see lots of pundits stating that this is really a cost cutting measure, but it’s possible to do what is right and also make more money at the same time. I’d also like to actually see a cost break down of bathroom miniatures versus the bulk-size amenities that presumably have a greater upkeep to see if the switch really does save money or not.
Hat tip to OMaaT
Very disappointed. I don’t really trust the caretakers to refill it properly. Recently stayed at a Hyatt where I couldn’t really tell the difference between the body wash and the shampoo amenity affixed to the wall. I have a feeling they just refill both with whatever they have.
This is great
Plastic is not a problem outside of the coasts and only a problem on the coasts if it makes its way into the ocean. I doubt many mini shampoo bottles are ending up in the ocean. They are discarded with the rest of the trash in the hotel and that is sufficient. I understand the impact of plastic in the ocean contamination our food supply of seafood and the animals fed with sea products but mini shampoo bottles are not the cause.
I doubt many mini shampoo bottles are ending up in the ocean, source required.
Single use plastics are still not long term viable.
If you are so worried about the environmental dont fly.
Glad I never stay a IHG hotels.
I like this. I didnt even realize this was a thing (bulk dispensers) until i stayed at an IHG property in London. Makes total sense, the mini bottles are always too small to last long without having to pick up refills. This just makes sense (to me). Some will argue about the intent but as DoC said, its quite possible to do a good thing and save money at the same time. For those who may have an issue with this, you can always bring your personal items on your trip.
simply put this is likely to backfire on their saving money if these aren’t permanent fixtures if they are just Bigger Sizes of plastic most people will still just take them, That being said if they are the bigger ones and not permanent fixtures its also to be a problem as anyone knows coming into a room t hat only had a once over and theirs still soap bars with hairs on them thats likely to be much more work for the maids in similar fashion.
Penny wise, pound foolish. I bet the hotels don’t save that much dollar-wise in the grand scheme of things as you’ll have people using 2x-5x the amount of shampoo/conditioner/body wash. The real savings is the time housekeeping spends on replacing little bottles vs. these big bottles, but that’s going to be neglible if the big bottles have locks in them and need to be refilled more than 1x week.
And this doesn’t take into account the brand damage, albeit small, something like this does at IHG’s higher end properties. Kind of like how AA isn’t putting in IFE in its planes. Makes the brand look cheaper and you might as well fly WN if prices are the same.
I know when I stay at IHG in the future, the entire contents of these bottles will be on the floor and smeared on the the cabin walls. More expense for them and more work to clean up
Resist this bullship
I’m at an IHG hotel right now. While they’re at it, instead of plastic coffee stirrers, provide paper/wood ones. Instead I f styrofoam coffee cups and plastic water cups, how about paper cups. And above all…..how about a enclosed filtered water dispensers on each floor available 24 hours, instead of providing each guest 2-4 bottles each day. Start with the water bottles. I see the housekeeping staff in the hallway everyday with a garbage bag full of used water bottles. It’s ridiculous. An enclosed tamper proof Culligan water dispenser will solve this issue at many hotels worldwide. Don’t understand the logic of individual water bottles:(
not a very good idea… I’d rather see containers being made into minimal vinyl packs or other creative solutions.