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SD 872

An Act prohibiting hotels from providing plastic-packaged toiletries

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Keenan

Massachusetts hotels would be barred from providing any hospitality products in small plastic bottles (<12 oz), shifting to non-plastic or bulk dispensing starting Jan 1, 2027.

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Bill Summary · SD 872

Summary of Bill SD 872: An Act Prohibiting Hotels from Providing Plastic-Packaged Toiletries

Overview

  • Bill Number: SD 872
  • Title: An Act prohibiting hotels from providing plastic-packaged toiletries
  • Introduced: January 15, 2025
  • Sponsor: Senator John F. Keenan (Norfolk and Plymouth)
  • Session scope: Massachusetts 2025-2026 (One Hundred Ninety-Fourth General Court)
  • Status: Proposed bill (as filed; no enactment status provided)

What the bill would do

  • Create a new regulatory framework, Chapter 21P, within the General Laws of Massachusetts, titled the Massachusetts Hotel Packaging Reduction Act.
  • Prohibit hotels from providing any small plastic bottle (defined as plastic containers with a capacity of less than 12 ounces) containing hospitality personal care products (e.g., shampoo, conditioner, lotion, liquid soap).
  • Shift packaging practices toward alternatives that do not rely on small plastic bottles, with enforcement by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Key definitions

  • Department: Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • Hotel: Any building or portion regularly used for lodging of guests (including apartment hotels, motels, or boarding houses), regardless of whether meals are served.
  • Hospitality personal care product: Products provided by hotels for cleansing, conditioning, or moisturizing, such as shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and liquid soap.
  • Small plastic bottle: A plastic container with a capacity of less than 12 ounces.

Provisions and requirements

  • Section 2: Prohibits hotels from providing any small plastic bottle containing a hospitality personal care product.
  • Section 3: Violation process
    • Hotels that violate the prohibition receive a warning notice with a 30-day correction period.
    • Civil penalties: $250 for the first violation after the warning (if not corrected within 30 days) and $500 for any subsequent violation in the same calendar year.
    • A hearing or opportunity to be heard is required before any civil penalty is assessed.
  • Section 4: Enforcement agency
    • The DEP is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the act.
  • Section 5: Effective date
    • The act would take effect January 1, 2027.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Hotels and lodging establishments in Massachusetts (including apartment hotels, motels, and boarding houses).
  • Affected products: Hospitality personal care products currently distributed in small plastic bottles (less than 12 ounces) at hotels.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Environmental impact: Aims to reduce plastic packaging waste from hotel guest amenities.
  • Operational changes for hotels: Likely transition to bulk dispensers, refillable containers, or other non-small-plastic-packaging solutions.
  • Compliance costs: Possible investments in alternative packaging systems, staff training, and procurement adjustments.
  • Timelines: Compliance would be required starting January 1, 2027, allowing hotels time to transition.

Next steps

  • If enacted, DEP rulemaking and implementation guidance would be expected to accompany the act.
  • Hotels would need to monitor for final regulations and prepare deployment of compliant dispensing systems prior to the 2027 effective date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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