Marriott International announced that it has adopted a plan to remove disposable plastic straws and plastic stirrers from its more than 6,500 properties across 30 brands around the world.

Once fully implemented in one year, the company could eliminate the use of more than 1 billion plastic straws per year and about a quarter billion stirrers. A single plastic straw – which might be used for about 15 minutes – will never fully decompose.

“We are proud to be among the first large US companies to announce that we’re eliminating plastic straws in our properties worldwide,” said Arne Sorenson, president and chief executive officer of Marriott International. “Removing plastic straws is one of the simplest ways our guests can contribute to plastic reduction when staying with us – something they are increasingly concerned about and are already doing in their own homes. We are committed to operating responsibly and – with over one million guests staying with us every night – we think this is a powerful step forward to reducing our reliance on plastics.”

Marriott’s plastic straw initiative is the latest change the hospitality company is making to enhance the sustainability of its operations and reduce plastic consumption. Earlier this year, Marriott began replacing small toiletry bottles in the guest bathrooms of about 450 select-service hotels with larger, in-shower dispensers that distribute more product for guests to use, reducing waste. The new toiletry dispensers are expected to be in place at more than 1,500 hotels in North America by the end of this year, which would enable Marriott to eliminate more than 35 million small plastic toiletry bottles annually that typically go to landfills.

These initiatives build on Marriott International’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact. Last year, the company set its most ambitious sustainability and social impact goals ever that call for reducing landfill waste by 45 per cent and responsibly sourcing its top 10 product purchase categories by 2025. These goals and other green programmes help reduce our environmental footprint and are part of the company’s Serve 360: Doing Good in Every Direction initiative that addresses social, environmental and economic issues.

Hotels worldwide have been eliminating plastic straws
Recognizing the environmental toll of single-use plastic, Africa’s leading hotel brand, Protea Hotels by Marriott, recently introduced biodegradable straws in all of its hotels across Sub-Saharan Africa. This eco-conscious shift will become a brand standard across all Protea Hotels by Marriott and Protea Hotels Fire & Ice! by Marriott.

The initiative follows close on the heels of the recent introduction of Vivreau Water at all Protea Hotels by Marriott, undertaken to limit the use of plastic water bottles. Some of the other Marriott International Hotels including Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers, The Westin Cape Town, African Pride 15 On Orange Hotel, Autograph Collection,  African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa, Autograph Collection, African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Autograph Collection, African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, Autograph Collection, African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Autograph Collection, have also joined Protea Hotels by Marriott in this initiative.

In February, more than 60 hotels around the world eliminated plastic straws and began offering consumers alternate straws upon request. Many individual properties – ranging from urban boutique hotels to oceanfront resorts – have also been at the forefront of this initiative.

In conjunction with its plastic straw initiative announcement, the company is also eliminating plastic straws from its corporate headquarters.

Marriott International’s plastic straw initiative will take full effect at both managed and franchised properties by July 2019, giving hotel owners and franchisees time to deplete their existing supply of plastic straws, identify sources of alternate straws and educate staff to modify customer service. As part of the initiative, hotels will offer alternative straws upon request. - TradeArabia News Service