Hotels welcome green initiative

Ayra Wang

Hotels in Hong Kong have installed water dispensers or prepared glass water bottles for guests as the single-use plastic ban come into effect on Monday.

Under the ban, hotels will be prohibited from providing guests with disposable plastic products such as toothbrushes, small-sized shampoo and disposable plastic bottled water free of charge.

This has led to some misunderstanding as many thought that local hotels would not provide water or toiletries.

One mainland tourist, Luo, said she brought a toothbrush, toothpaste and tissues with her as she heard those items were unavailable in local hotels.

Local hotels have chosen to use non-plastic alternatives to comply with legal requirements while not inconveniencing guests.

Hyatt Regency Hong Kong in Sha Tin has installed filtered water dispensers in rooms. General manager Wilson Lee said the hotel has implemented arrangements since the middle of last year.

"The hotel saved some 6,000 plastic bottles of water a week after installing the water dispensers," Lee said.

He said the hotel replaced small-bottle bath products with large bottles, cutting the disposal of at least 40,000 small plastic bottles per month. It has also replaced all plastic packaging with paper and started to provide bamboo-handled toothbrushes and paper-stemmed cotton buds.

Guests can purchase hair combs, shower caps, razors and other products if needed.

The Mira Hong Kong in Tsim Sha Tsui has replaced plastic bottled water with glass bottles.

Its staff have been trained to explain the new arrangements to guests, along with reminder cards placed in rooms to encourage reducing unnecessary waste.

Caspar Tsui Ying-wai, executive director of the Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, said the cost of replacing plastic products will not be passed on to guests.

"Tourists are no strangers to plastic-free arrangements in hotels," Tsui said. "I believe the plastic ban can enhance the sector's awareness of green tourism and help Hong Kong build a positive image."

Besides hotels, local merchants and restaurants are also banned from selling or providing disposable plastic tableware and other single-use plastic products from Monday.

ayra.wang@singtaonewscorp.com