Bamboo fibre products are beginning to be widely used and the hotel industry is becoming a hotbed.

In response to the call to sustainability, the hospitality industry is actively exploring feasible solutions to reduce single-use plastics. The emergence of bamboo fiber products provides an ideal choice for this purpose.

This nature-derived and degradable material is gradually replacing traditional plastic products, satisfying guests' pursuit of a high-quality travel experience while practicing the vision of low-carbon environmental protection.

Hospitality Industry Strives to Reduce Single-use Plastics

Global Tourism Plastics Initiative © UNWTO

According to public information, the travel and tourism industry represents 9 to 12% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, of which the hospitality industry consumes a large amount of single-use plastics of about 289,700 tons per year.

Therefore, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) have jointly launched the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which aims to call on the hospitality industry to reduce the use of single-use plastics, and at the same time, reduce the plastic waste. The initiative recommends that the hospitality industry takes action to reduce plastics in the following areas:

Eliminate problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and items;
Take action to move from single-use to reuse models or reusable alternatives;
(Engage the value chain to) move towards 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable;
Take action to increase the amount of recycled content across all plastic packaging and items used;
Collaborate and invest to increase the recycling and composting rates for plastics; and
Report publicly and annually on progress made towards these targets.

Hotel Amenities Kit © UNEP

Some cities in China have also introduced proposals to reduce single-use guestroom supplies, such as not actively providing "six small pieces", which contains toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shower gel, slippers, combs and other free disposable toiletries. Some hotels replace disposable small bottles of shower gel and shampoo to the

large bottle of non-plastic packaging.

Large bottle of non-plastic packaging © Marriot

Sustainable Strategies of Famous International Hotels

In the context of Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, many prominent international hotel chains have joined the initiative and have achieved impressive sustainability goals over the years.

● Accor Group

Accor Group has joined Global Tourism Plastics Initiative. Accor hotels firstly remove all plastic straws, swabs and drink stirrers, and gradually remove single-use plastic cups and amenities (shampoo, combs, razors and toothbrushes).

By the end of 2022, 46 types of single-use plastic items were eliminated or replaced with more sustainable alternatives. The Accor Group's Sofitel Shanghai on the Bund, Pullman Shanghai Jing'an and Sofitel Dubai Downtown have already used eco-friendly products such as bamboo toothbrushes and bamboo razors.

● The Peninsula Hotels

The Peninsula Hotels Group, a renowned luxury hotel brand, has also joined Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, which continues to work towards the complete elimination of single use plastics within The Group by 2025 or earlier.

The Peninsula has now launched bespoke line of sustainable, destination-inspired guest room amenities, including a 99.9% petroleum plastic-free bathroom collection, renewable packaging made from 45% recycled materials, and toothbrushes and razors made from biomaterials. The actions will help the Group to further realize its " Sustainable Luxury Vision 2030".

● Shangri-La Group

Shangri-La Group has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact since 2011, in which sustainability is a key goal. As of the end of 2022, 100% of Shangri-La hotel properties have eliminated full plastic takeaway containers, cutleries and bags, and 38% of China's hotels no longer voluntarily provide disposable guest bathroom amenities such as toothbrushes and combs. Shangri-La plans to reduce Single-use Plastics Intensity (g/occupied room night) by 50% by 2025 compared to 2019.

The hospitality industry consumes a huge amount of single-use plastics every year, and many hotel brands have already realized this, while the various sustainable development initiatives proposed by the United Nations will further push the hospitality industry to exercise corporate responsibility and practice green operations.

By introducing bamboo fiber products to reduce single-use plastics, the hospitality industry is contributing to the sustainable development goals while improving service quality and corporate image.

altPlus Fiber® Products Offer Solutions to Reduce Single-use Plastics

altPlus Fiber® has a wide range of bamboo fiber products and can provide different choices to reduce plastics, helping the hospitality industry to accelerate the elimination and reduction of single-use plastics.

Bamboo Fiber Toothbrush

Beautiful, safe and degradable. Compared with plastic toothbrush, bamboo fiber toothbrush can represent the high-quality hotel service.