Illinois Senate Democrats

08/21/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 09:13

Hotel industry to reduce plastic waste thanks to Fine law

SPRINGFIELD - In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic waste across Illinois, State Senator Laura Fine championed a law to phase out the use of small, single-use plastic bottles in hotels.

"Tiny plastic bottles provided by hotels that contain personal care products, like shampoo and conditioner, produce unnecessary plastic pollution," said Fine (D-Glenview). "By taking an environmentally conscious approach to hospitality, we can reduce plastic pollution across the state and throughout our waterways."

Sen. Fine's law, known as the Small Single-Use Plastic Bottle Act, requires hotels with 50 or more rooms to eliminate the use of small, single-use plastic bottles containing personal care products in individual rooms and public bathrooms beginning July 1, 2025. By Jan. 1, 2026, all hotels with fewer than 50 rooms are expected to make this transition.

"Together, working with environmental groups and the hotel industry, we are continuing to prevent pollution on all fronts," said Fine. "This law is an important step toward protecting our environment and ensuring we are utilizing sustainable solutions to these ongoing issues."

Senate Bill 2960 goes into effect immediately.