Illinois is leading the way in being environmentally friendly in the hotel business. A groundbreaking law will go into effect on Tuesday. It will ban single-use plastic bottles, like those little shampoo and conditioner bottles, in all hotel rooms across the state. As part of the Small Plastic Bottle Act, this brave move is meant to cut down on plastic waste and promote actions that are better for the earth. What does this mean for people who are staying at the hotel, though? Let’s break it down.
There will be no more small plastic bottles in hotel rooms.
Hotels in Illinois with 50 rooms or more will not be able to put single-use plastic bottles of personal care items like shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in guest rooms after July 1, 2025. This may seem like a big change, but it’s actually part of a larger trend around the world to use less plastic. States like California, Washington, and New York were already ahead of the curve on this one.
Little hotels have more time to change.
There are still some things you need to do if you stay at a small hotel with less than 50 rooms. This kind of hotel has until January 1, 2026, to follow the rules. If you’re going to a small hotel soon, you might still be able to find those little shampoo bottles—at least for now.
Can you still get a small shampoo bottle?
There are still some of those classic little shampoo bottles left, which is good news for people who want them. As of now, the new rule still lets guests ask for a free small plastic bottle of shampoo or conditioner. But there is a catch: you have to ask by the front desk, not in your room. The choice will always be there for you as long as you ask, whether it’s an emergency at the last minute or a collectible for your travel stash.
The reason for the change: reducing plastic waste
Why make such a big change? The Illinois government wants to cut down on the huge amount of plastic trash that the hotel and restaurant business makes. Some hotels already use shampoo dispensers that can be refilled, but this law makes sure that everyone in the state moves toward cleaner habits. As part of the fight against plastic pollution around the world, Illinois is now officially one of the states trying to make travel more eco-friendly.
What Happens If Hotels Don’t Follow The Rules?
Hotels that break the new law will get a warning the first time they do it. After that, hotels could get fined up to $1,500 for breaking the rules again. Hotels will be held responsible for their attempts to reduce waste because the law will be enforced by the State’s Attorney or municipal attorney.
A Look Ahead: Will You Miss the Little Bottles?
As hotels move toward more eco-friendly practices, you may notice that more and more water dispensers are being refilled. These refill stations help get rid of the need for a lot of plastic bottles, and many eco-friendly hotels are already using them as standard. Try not to think about taking one of those machines home with you, though. You can’t!
If you stay in an Illinois hotel, don’t expect those little bottles to be waiting for you when you get there. Instead, you’ll find a state that wants to cut down on plastic waste and make your stay better for the environment. You can still ask for that tiny shampoo bottle at the front desk if you really need it. This is a small cost to make travel a little more eco-friendly.
