Marriott International expands phase-out of single-use toiletry bottles

More than 20% of Marriott International’s properties now offer larger-pump-topped bottles in guestroom showers

Marriott International first announced plans to replace single-use toiletry bottles of shampoo, conditioner and bath gel in guestroom showers with large, pump-based alternatives in early 2018. The replacements have been introduced at 1,000 properties in North America and Marriott International expects the majority of its other hotels to make the switch by December 2020.

The pumped-topped bottles contain the same amount of product as 10 to 12 single-use bottles. The single-use bottles are not normally recycled by hotels and end up in landfill.

Once the full rollout had been completed across Marriott International’s 7,000-plus properties, more than 500 million single-use bottles will have been prevented from going into landfill – equivalent to around 771 tonnes of plastic. It also represents a 30% reduction from Marriott International’s current amenity plastic usage.

“This is our second global initiative aimed at reducing single-use plastics in just over a year, which underscores how important we believe it is to continuously find ways to reduce our hotels’ environmental impact. It’s a huge priority for us,” the hotelier’s chief executive and president Arne Sorenson said.

“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.”

More than 20% of Marriott International’s properties now offer larger-pump-topped bottles in guestroom showers across five brands: Courtyard by Marriott, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn, Fairfield by Marriott and TownePlace Suites.

Additionally, four of Marriott International’s brands – Aloft Hotels, Element by Westin, Four Points and Moxy Hotels – have introduced the same concept and AC by Marriott is also set to make the change.

Resource efficiency

The expansion of the programme builds on previous initiatives from Marriott International to remove the recyclability of the items visitors consume.

A goal is in place to reduce landfill waste by 45% and to responsibly source the top 10 product categories it purchases, which includes amenities, by 2025.

In July 2018, the company’s hotels began phasing out disposable plastic straws and stirrers and switching to an on-demand approach with alternative products wherever possible. As of August 2019, the company had met its goal, resulting in an estimated annual diversion of one billion plastic straws from landfills.

Marriott International had joined the likes of Malmaison and Hotel du Vin and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) in committing to the phase-out of plastic straws.

Matt Mace