InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has joined a growing number of hotel companies by announcing it will eliminate plastic straws from its properties worldwide by the end of 2019. The company has already removed plastic straws from nearly 1,000 hotels across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. As part of a broader effort to cut single-use plastics and reduce waste, IHG also plans to introduce bulk-sized bathroom amenities across several of its brands.
“IHG operates in almost 100 countries and connects with millions of people each day. That gives us a responsibility to protect the environment and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference,” said Keith Barr, CEO of IHG. “There is always more we can do to minimize waste, but our actions to reduce single-use plastic show how guests, owners and colleagues can work together to drive positive change.”
By removing plastic straws globally, IHG expects to eliminate roughly 50 million single-use straws each year — a reduction equivalent to a quantity that could stretch from New York to Tokyo. Where needed, biodegradable or alternative options are being introduced to replace conventional plastic straws.
IHG has already rolled out bulk-sized bathroom amenities at several of its brands. These larger dispensers are in use at EVEN Hotels, avid hotels and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, and have been added to Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites as part of the company’s wider effort to reduce toiletry waste and single-use packaging.
The move reflects a broader industry trend toward sustainable practices in hospitality, from reducing disposable plastics to adopting refillable amenities and other waste-reduction strategies. By standardizing bulk amenities and removing single-use items like plastic straws, hotel operators aim to cut waste, lower operational costs and offer guests a more environmentally responsible stay.
IHG’s announcement underscores how large global brands can influence sustainability through relatively straightforward operational changes. Transitioning to bulk amenities and alternatives to single-use plastics requires coordination with owners and suppliers, staff training and guest communication, but these changes can lead to significant reductions in plastic consumption when implemented across many properties.
As hotels increasingly adopt similar measures, guests can expect to see fewer disposable items and more sustainable alternatives during their stays. For IHG, the elimination of plastic straws and the shift to bulk-sized toiletries are concrete steps in a longer-term effort to reduce environmental impact and promote responsible business practices across its global portfolio.