Single-Use Products

(includes plastics, paper product, and packaging)

Hotels across the industry are already taking meaningful steps to reduce environmental impacts associated with single-use products and packaging, while continuing to deliver efficient operations and meet guest expectations. As sustainability practices evolve, there is an opportunity to build on this strong foundation through targeted enhancements and innovation.

The materials and systems associated with certain single-use plastics and paper-based products can influence greenhouse gas emissions, resource use, and waste outcomes. By continuing to refine sourcing decisions and operational practices, hotels are further strengthening their sustainability performance while maintaining high service standards.

Hotel Action

Hotels can enhance their existing responsible sourcing practices by considering the following approaches:

Explore opportunities to transition away from products made entirely from virgin materials toward those that incorporate recycled or renewable content
Offer single-use items (e.g., straws, amenities) on request, where appropriate, to align guest experience with waste reduction goals
Leverage available tools such as the Single-Use Products and Packaging Decision Tree, Understanding Packaging Scorecard, and Paper Calculator to evaluate options

When selecting products, hotels may consider prioritizing options with the following attributes:

Reusable where operationally feasible
Made with recycled content (15–30% minimum, preferably higher) or renewable materials (e.g., wood, sugarcane)
Designed with reduced material use (lightweighting)
Compatible with existing waste systems (recyclable or compostable where infrastructure exists)
Free from oxo-degradable or oxo-biodegradable materials
Supported by supplier take-back or recycling programs
Verified by credible third-party sustainability certifications

For hotels evaluating compostable or biodegradable products, aligning these choices with available waste management services—such as commercial composting—can help maximize effectiveness and value.

Click on the following areas to learn more about responsibly sourcing eggs and pork.

Key Impact Areas

Environmental
Social

Plastic Products/Packaging

Plastics play an important role in many hotel operations due to their durability and cost-effectiveness. At the same time, evolving research and industry trends highlight opportunities to reduce long-term environmental impacts associated with production, use, and disposal. Many hotels are already exploring ways to optimize usage, improve material selection, and reduce waste generation.

Paper Products/Packaging

Paper-based products are widely used across hospitality operations. Sourcing decisions can influence broader environmental outcomes such as forest management, water use, and emissions. Increasingly, hotels are integrating certified or recycled-content paper products into their procurement strategies as part of continuous improvement efforts.

Public Policies - Passed and Proposed as of January 2026

Regulations related to single-use products are expanding across many states and municipalities. Hotels are already navigating these requirements successfully, and staying informed on evolving policies can support continued compliance and proactive planning.

California

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	AB 1884	January 1st, 2019	Sit-down restaurants cannot automatically provide plastic straws (exceptions for disability/medical needs).
	AB 1162	January 1st, 2023 (≥50 rooms); January 1st, 2024 (<50 rooms)	Ban on single-use small plastic toiletry bottles.
Packaging	SB 270 & SB 1053	January 1st, 2026	Ban on all single-use plastic bags (check local ordinances for hotel applicability).
	SB 54	January 1st, 2032	All single-use plastic packaging and foodware must be recyclable or compostable (EPR law).

Colorado

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Packaging	HB1-11162	January 1st, 2024	Ban on single-use plastic carryout bags; ban on polystyrene foam takeout containers/cups.
	HB22-1355	January 1st, 2025	Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program for packaging & paper.

Delaware

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	SB 51	January 1st, 2025	Ban on single-use plastic stirrers, cocktail picks, sandwich picks.
Packaging	SB 51	January 1st, 2025	Ban on polystyrene foam containers and single-use plastic stirrers/picks.

Hawaii

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	HB 348 (proposed)	January 1, 2026 (≥50 rooms); January 1, 2028 (<50 rooms)	Ban on single-use small plastic toiletry bottles.

Illinois

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	SB 2960	January 1, 2025 (≥50 rooms); January 1, 2026 (<50 rooms)	Ban on single-use small plastic toiletry bottles.

Maine

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Packaging	EPR Law	May 2026	Producers must join stewardship org, report quantities, and pay fees for recycling/waste mgmt.

Maryland

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Packaging	SB0901	June 1st, 2025	Packaging & Paper Products Producer Responsibility Plans

Minnesota

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Packaging	EPR Law	July 1st, 2025	Producers must join PRO, report materials, and pay fees for recycling/waste mgmt.

New York

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	SB 1505 (pending)	TBD	Straws provided only upon request.
	S543	January 1st, 2025 (≥50 rooms); January 1st, 2026 (<50 rooms)	Ban on single-use small plastic toiletry bottles.
Packaging	Foam Ban	January 1st, 2022	Ban on expanded polystyrene foam containers and loose fill packaging.

Oregon

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	SB 551 (proposed)	July 1, 2027 (≥50 rooms); July 1, 2028 (<50 rooms)	Ban on small toiletry bottles; utensils/condiments only upon request.
Packaging	SB 543	January 1st, 2025	Ban on polystyrene foam containers and PFAS in packaging.
	Recycling Modernization Act	July 1st, 2026	EPR requirement for packaging, food serviceware, and printed paper.

Rhode Island

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Packaging	GL § 21–27.3-2	January 1st, 2025	Ban on polystyrene foam food containers and plastic beverage stirrers.
	SB 2850	January 1st, 2025	Ban on PFAS in food packaging.

Washington

Product Covered	Law/Bill	Enforcement Date	Requirements
Single-Use Items/Amenities	AB 1884	January 1st, 2019	Sit-down restaurants cannot automatically provide plastic straws (exceptions for disability/medical needs).
	AB 1162	Jan 1st, 2023 (≥50 rooms); Jan 1st, 2024 (<50 rooms)	Ban on single-use small plastic toiletry bottles.
Packaging	SB 270 & SB 1053	Jan 1st, 2026	Ban on all single-use plastic bags (check local ordinances for hotel applicability).
	SB 54	Jan 1, 2032	All single-use plastic packaging and foodware must be recyclable or compostable (EPR law).

Additional Resources

Guests, investors, and corporate partners are increasingly interested in sustainability initiatives. Many hotels are already responding to these expectations, and further enhancements—particularly in packaging and single-use items—can help strengthen brand positioning and guest engagement.

Plastics
Paper
Non-Plastics Packaging

Sustainable Packaging Coalition

Product Alternatives

There are a growing number of alternatives available that balance performance, cost, and sustainability. Hotels can continue building on their current practices by piloting new materials and solutions that align with operational needs and available waste infrastructure.

Examples include:

Wooden or reusable cutlery
Compostable or paper-based straws
FSC-certified or recycled-content packaging
Reusable serviceware where appropriate

Third-Party Certifications for Sustainable Single-Use Alternatives

Certification	Description	Certifying Body	Notes
Biodegradable Products Institute	Compostability per ASTM D6400 / D6868	BPI (Biodegradable Products Institute)	Recognized certification for commercial composting
Cradle to Cradle	Material health, recyclability, circularity	Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute	Holistic sustainability certification including recyclability
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)	Paper/fiber sourced from responsibly managed forests	Forest Stewardship Council	Very popular in U.S. for paperboard, cardboard, paper packaging.
Green Seal	Can apply to disposable packaging with environmental claims, but primarily for cleaning products and paper.	Green Seal	Around since 1989, very widely recognized in the U.S.
Intertek Recycled Content	Independent verification of recycled content claims for packaging and other materials.	Intertek Group	Recognized in the U.S. but more known by manufacturers and retailers
OK Compost	Compostability (industrial and home composting standards EN 13432, EN 14995)	TÜV Austria	Recognized internationally, used in both Europe and U.S.
Recycled Content Certification	Percentage of recycled content (post-consumer and post-industrial)	SCS Global Services	Used globally, widely respected for recycled content claims
SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative)	Sustainable fiber sourcing	Sustainable Forestry Initiative	Mostly U.S./Canada-focused; sometimes preferred over FSC in North America.
UL 2809 - Environmental Claim Validation	Recycled content claims in products	UL Environment	Often paired with other UL sustainability certifications
USDA Biopreferred	Verifies minimum % of renewable (biobased) content	USDA BioPreferred Program	Widely used in U.S.; recognized by federal procurement.

*These certifications assess the environmental and social aspects of an agricultural operation more holistically beyond specific animal welfare standards.

Cost Considerations - $-$$$

Hotels are already skilled at managing cost, quality, and guest experience. Many sustainability-focused products are becoming more competitive in price, especially when paired with strategies such as:

Reducing overall consumption
Offering items on demand
Leveraging bulk purchasing agreements
Phasing in changes through pilot programs

These approaches can help offset higher unit costs while maintaining operational efficiency.

Continuous Improvement Approach

Many hotels are already taking meaningful steps in this area. Small-scale testing and gradual implementation can help ensure that enhancements align with guest expectations and business goals. For example, adjusting how frequently certain items are offered can reduce waste while maintaining satisfaction—allowing hotels to reinvest savings into higher-performing sustainable alternatives.

Corporate Action

The hospitality industry is part of a broader movement toward more sustainable materials and circular systems. By continuing to evolve sourcing practices, hotels can play a leadership role while building on the strong operational foundations already in place.