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Senator backs ban on small plastic hotel toiletries; bill would phase in from 2027
Summary
Senator John Keenan urged the committee to advance a bill banning hotels from providing small single‑use plastic toiletry packages, citing carbon and pollution concerns and pointing to other states that have passed similar measures.
Senator John Keenan testified on Oct. 12 in support of Senate Bill 609, which would prohibit hotels from providing small, single‑use plastic toiletry packages, saying the Commonwealth can reduce plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging refillable dispensers.
Keenan framed the bill as a public‑health and climate action measure, citing U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and international projections on plastics' greenhouse‑gas contributions. He urged the committee to approve a ban to begin in 2027, noting that hotels often use mounted dispensers and that a number of states — California, Illinois, New York and Washington — have enacted similar rules.
Questions from the committee focused on whether a House counterpart exists and on implementation details; Keenan said not every bill has a direct counterpart and suggested dispensers and other refill systems are widely available as alternatives.
The committee did not vote at the hearing.
