Hotels should be banned from providing mini-toiletries in plastic bottles, one Fine Gael TD has claimed.
A nationwide ban on hotels providing single-use mini-toiletries is a simple and proactive step towards reducing plastic waste, Dublin North West TD Noel Rock said on Sunday.
Mr Rock said: “Some progressive hotel chains have already started moving away from these wasteful products towards refillable models, but I believe this should be put on a legislative footing here in Ireland.
“I believe a ban on such products being stocked in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs will save thousands of pounds of plastic waste being generated annually.
“Much like the plastic bag levy, this is an opportunity for Ireland to be a European leader in this area.
"With a booming tourism industry the savings in waste terms to be garnered here are immense,” he added.
The use of plastic bags in Ireland went down by a full 90% after the levy was introduced over a decade ago - and the country must continue to pursue similar changes in order to address climate change, he said.
Mr Rock said: “Hotels have options when it comes to alternatives: they can use refillable dispensers or there are several innovative Irish companies producing zero waste products that could be swapped out for a sustainable approach that would also support local business.”
