InterContinental Hotels Group will remove plastic straws from the global estate by the end of 2019, representing more than 5,400 hotels in nearly 100 countries. Plastic straws have already been removed from nearly 1,000 hotels in our Europe, Middle East, Asia & Africa (EMEAA) region. InterContinental Hotels Group is introducing bulk-size bathroom amenities to several hotel brands in the Americas, as part of broader efforts to reduce waste.
Reducing waste through the removal of plastic drinking straws worldwide
The decision to remove plastic straws will eliminate an average of 50 million single-use plastic straws from more than 5,400 IHG-branded hotels each year. The removal of plastic drinking straws will be implemented through a global brand standard, with biodegradable alternatives to be made available.
Bulk bathroom amenities in the Americas
IHG introduces bulk-size bathroom amenities across several brands in the Americas region. Holiday Inn Express®, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites® brands are all increasing their adoption of larger-size dispensers. Our EVEN® Hotels and avid™ hotels brands have included bulk-size amenities since they were launched, and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants began rolling them out last year. Sustainability was also an important part of IHG’s approach to developing our new upscale brand, voco™ Hotels.
Through partnerships with Clean the World in the Americas and Soap for Hope in Asia, nearly 450 IHG-branded hotels have collectively prevented nearly 200,000 kg of soap from going to waste. Instead of heading to landfill, the soap has been recycled into nearly three million new bars for redistribution to communities who need it the most.
