Cross-referencing samples collected by Chinese environmental NGOs with a recent CCTV investigative report, we found that some single-use toothbrushes and combs supplied by four- and five-star hotels were manufactured by companies located in the same industrial park featured in CCTV’s exposé of the unlawful production of “reprocessed-plastic” toothbrushes. The contrast in hotel practices is also striking. While a number of international hotel brands do not provide single-use amenities by default overseas, field investigations in China found that all 45 four- and five-star hotels surveyed were providing items such as toothbrushes and combs by default, contrary to relevant requirements.

Based on crowdsourced data from the “Hotel Plastic Reduction Observation” initiative on the Blue Map App and field investigations conducted by several environmental NGOs across China, this report finds that despite a series of national and local policies and regulations, compliance with the requirement to “provide disposable amenities only upon request” remains low across the accommodation sector, with violations still widespread. High-end star-rated hotels, which should have taken the lead in compliance and served as industry benchmarks, have instead become a weak link in policy implementation. The report identifies four major barriers to the effective implementation of the “provide only upon request” policy, and puts forward four recommendations for building a collaborative governance system led by government, supported by corporate responsibility, platform guidance, industry coordination, and public participation.

While recycled plastic can reduce carbon emissions during material production, it does not change the disposable, use-and-throw-away model. The carbon benefits of recycled materials cannot offset the inherent inefficiency of products designed for extremely short lifespans. A truly low-carbon approach is not to replace disposable amenities with recycled-plastic versions, but to reduce unnecessary provision, extend product use, and encourage guests to bring reusable toiletries.

In response to concerns raised by several environmental organizations that some high-end hotels in Nanchang were still providing single-use amenities by default, the Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism Bureau of Xihu District, Nanchang stated in a May 21 reply that it had promptly verified the matter. The hotels concerned committed to immediate corrective action: removing pre-stocked single-use amenities from guest rooms and making them available at the front desk only upon request; strengthening communication and reminders for group stays; improving staff training; and accelerating the shift to refillable, full-size toiletry dispensers. Environmental organizations welcomed the response and called on more cities to learn from Nanchang’s practice and effectively implement national and local requirements not to provide single-use amenities by default. They also urged hotels found to have done so to take corrective action and publicly disclose their measures and progress.

On May 22, in response to concerns raised by several environmental organizations that some high-end hotels in Shenzhen were still providing single-use guest-room amenities by default, the Shenzhen Municipal Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau said it had investigated the hotels concerned, ordered corrective action, and required strict implementation of a “provide only upon request” model. Through the Shenzhen Hotel Industry Association, it also issued a citywide green-operations initiative stating that six categories of single-use guest-room amenities should not be provided by default. The Bureau will continue to advance green-hotel development and incorporate reductions in single-use amenities into key criteria for star-rated hotel assessments. Environmental organizations welcomed the response and called on more cities to implement the “no default provision” policy. They also urged hotels found to be providing such items by default to rectify the issue and publicly disclose their actions and progress.

In response to concerns raised by several environmental organizations that some high-end hotels in Tianjin were still providing single-use amenities by default, the Tianjin Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau stated in a May 19 reply that it had promptly launched verification and enforcement measures. It conducted on-site inspections of the hotels concerned, found one hotel to be non-compliant and ordered corrective action; coordinated with commerce authorities; initiated a citywide special inspection campaign; and guided industry associations to urge hotels to comply with the requirement not to provide single-use amenities by default. The Bureau also said it had communicated its response to the environmental organizations and would work with them to advance plastic reduction in the hotel sector.

In response to concerns raised by several environmental organizations that some high-end hotels in Zhangjiakou were still providing single-use amenities by default, the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Chongli District stated in a May 19 reply that it endorsed the green principle of “ask first, provide only on request.” The Bureau said it would expedite standards for single-use amenities in local accommodation establishments; guide hotels to strictly comply with the no-default-provision requirement; strengthen policy training and service improvements; and promote full-size, refillable toiletry dispensers as part of efforts to improve tourism services. Environmental organizations welcomed the response and called on more cities to draw on Zhangjiakou’s practice, implement the “no default provision” policy, and advance plastic reduction in the hotel sector and greener lifestyles. They also urged hotels found to have provided single-use amenities by default to take corrective action and publicly disclose their measures and progress.