Bulk-size bathroom amenities at an IHG hotel. — Photo courtesy of IHG

The InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) on Wednesday announced its entire hotel estate of almost 843,000 guest rooms will switch to bulk-size bathroom amenities, with the transition to be completed during 2021.

This pledge makes IHG the first global hotel company to commit all brands to removing bathroom miniatures in favour of bulk-size amenities.

“Switching to larger-size amenities across more than 5,600 hotels around the world is a big step in the right direction and will allow us to significantly reduce our waste footprint and environmental impact as we make the change,” said Keith Barr, CEO, IHG.

IHG currently has an average of 200 million bathroom miniatures in use across its entire hotel estate every year. As the new standard is adopted between now and 2021, the company expects to see a significant reduction in plastic waste. This commitment builds on IHG’s pledge to remove plastic straws from its hotels by the end of 2019, and other waste reduction initiatives already in place.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,600 hotels and nearly 843,000 guest rooms in more than 100 countries.

In Viet Nam, IHG manages eight luxury hotels and resorts in the three major cities Ha Noi, Da Nang and HCM City. — VNS