Phase Out Mini Plastic Toiletry Bottles in Hotels

Our Surfrider Chapters in Hawai’i are determined to reduce plastic pollution in hotels by passing statewide bills, HB348 and SB670. 

These bills seek to phase out mini personal care plastic packaging (shampoos, conditions, lotions, and soaps) at hotels and other lodging establishments in Hawai’i. Instead, hotels will install bulk dispensers or use non-plastic packaging for their personal care products.

As of December 2024, the State of Hawaiʻi received over 9.5 million visitors in 2024, over six times the state's population. The visitor industry significantly contributes to plastic pollution which often ends up on beaches and in the ocean. With over 150 hotels in Hawaiʻi, this would save millions of single-use bottles every year.

Not only will this eliminate unnecessary, hard-to-recycle plastic waste, but it will also save hotels money. Marriott International is already in the process of phasing out mini bottles, estimating that they will avoid throwing away 500 million such bottles every year and save about $2,000 per hotel every year.

Similar laws have passed in California, New York, Washington, and Illinois. The change will apply to large hotels with more than 50 rooms beginning in 2027 and smaller hotels in 2029. This gives hotels plenty of time to adapt.

HB348 and SB670 directly align with our newly launched Ocean Friendly Hotel program which helps hotels to reduce single-use plastic and make more sustainable choices for the ocean. One of the mandatory criteria is that toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, lotion, etc.) are not packaged in small plastic bottles. 

Surfrider Hawai’i is leading the charge to pass this bill. Surfrider chapters are submitting testimony and will work with partners, hotels, and other constituents to build support.