Why hotels are switching
Since 1 July 2022, India has banned the manufacture, sale and use of a list of single-use plastic items. Guests and hotel groups also increasingly expect less plastic in the room. Switching the guest amenities is one of the most visible changes a hotel can make.
Item-by-item swaps
| Usual item | Eco-friendly swap |
|---|---|
| Plastic toothbrush | Bamboo Brush or Wheat Starch Brush |
| Toothpaste tube | Toothpaste in Paper Pouch |
| Plastic razor | Bamboo Razor or Wheat Starch Razor |
| Shaving gel tube | Shaving Gel in Paper Pouch |
| Plastic comb | Bamboo Handle Comb, Bamboo Pocket Comb or Wheat Starch Handle Comb |
| Plastic shower cap | Compostable Shower Cap |
| Plastic sanitary bag | Biodegradable Sanitary Disposal Bag |
| Plastic loofah | Natural Loofah or Jute Loofah |
| Non-woven laundry bag | Paper Laundry Bag or Cloth Bag |
| Non-woven slippers | Jute Slippers, closed or open toe |
| Plastic shoe shiner box | Wheat Starch Box or Tin Box |
| Small plastic bottles | Wall mounted dispensers refilled from 5 litre cans |
| Plastic dispenser bottle | Wheat Starch Dispenser |
Packaging matters as much as the product
A bamboo brush in a plastic sleeve still adds plastic to the room. Pack kits in one of three plastic-free options, each of which can carry your hotel's name:
- Kraft Paper Pouch: light and natural looking.
- Butter Paper Pouch: clean white with a soft finish.
- Kraft Board Box: sturdy, for kits that stand on the counter.
Dispensers instead of small bottles
Wall mounted dispensers stay in the bathroom and are refilled from bulk cans, so the room no longer goes through small bottles every stay. Lockable designs keep them on the wall, and wheat starch dispenser bottles reduce plastic further.
Making the switch
- Start with the items guests touch most: dental kit, comb and toiletries.
- Move packaging to kraft or butter paper at the same time.
- Replace small bottles with dispensers room by room as stock runs out.
- Keep one look across the property, with your hotel's identity on every pouch and box.
Questions hotels ask
- Are bamboo toothbrushes suitable for hotels?
- Yes. Bamboo and wheat starch brushes are used the same way as plastic ones and come packed in paper pouches or boxes that can carry your hotel's name.
- Do eco-friendly kits look less premium?
- No. Kraft and butter paper packaging look natural and premium, and every pouch and box can be branded.
- Can I switch only part of my amenities?
- Yes. Many hotels start with the dental kit, comb and packaging, then move to dispensers.
- Which eco-friendly amenities do you supply?
- Bamboo and wheat starch kits, toothpaste and shaving gel in paper pouches, compostable shower caps, biodegradable sanitary bags, natural and jute loofahs, paper and cloth laundry bags, jute slippers, jute bags and wheat starch dispensers.
Related
Source: Government of India (PIB): ban on identified single-use plastic items from 1 July 2022