California just took a big step toward banning hotel toiletries

In a few years, those tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other toiletries provided by hotels could become a thing of the past in the state of California.

The Natural Resources committee recently advanced Assembly Bill 1162, which would ban "lodging establishments" from offering small plastic bottles of "personal care products" to guests. The committee voted 6-3, with two members abstaining, to move the measure forward.

Democratic Assemblymen Ash Kalra and Mark Stone introduced the bill aimed at reducing the amount of plastic in the environment.

"The amount of plastic produced is increasing exponentially, and we must consider all options to reduce this pollution from entering our waste streams," Kalra said, according to KSWB-TV. "While it may not appear to be a problem on an individual level, small plastic bottles that are less than 12-ounces represent a sizeable amount of waste collectively that the state must address."

What are the details?

The ban would prohibit hotels, motels, vacation rentals, and resorts from distributing toiletries in plastic containers 12-ounces or smaller in guest rooms.

Local agencies would inspect properties for compliance.

Violators would receive a written warning for the first violation. After that, the property could face a $500 fine for each subsequent offense, not to exceed $2,000 a year, according to the bill's text.

Hospitals, nursing homes, jails, homeless shelters, and hosted rentals, among others, would not be subject to the ban.

If passed, the ban would take effect Jan. 1, 2023.

What else?

Last year, the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that banned lodging establishments from providing toiletries in small plastic bottles. The measure will go into effect Dec. 31, 2020.