SB670 would prohibit lodging establishments in Hawaii from providing shampoo, conditioner, or bath soap in small plastic containers to guests in sleeping rooms, guest-accessible bathrooms, or other in-room spaces. The bill defines “small plastic container” as a plastic bottle or container of six ounces or less that is not intended to be reused, and it applies to a broad range of lodging businesses, including hotels, resorts, motels, bed and breakfasts, transient vacation rentals, and hosted rentals.
The prohibition would take effect in two phases: January 1, 2027, for lodging establishments with more than 50 sleeping room accommodations, and January 1, 2029, for smaller establishments with 50 or fewer rooms. Lodging establishments could still use bulk dispensers and could provide non-plastic packaged personal care products upon request, but only outside guest rooms and guest/public bathrooms. The bill authorizes the department to inspect covered areas, issue citations, and impose civil penalties of $500 for a first violation and $2,000 for subsequent violations, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate offense.
Impact
SB670 would amend chapter 342H of the Hawaii Revised Statutes by adding a new statewide restriction on single-use plastic toiletries in lodging establishments. It creates a new compliance obligation for hotels and similar accommodations, while expressly allowing counties to adopt stricter ordinances. The bill also gives enforcement authority to the department and the attorney general, and it establishes a civil penalty structure for violations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable momentum based on the available legislative history. It passed the Senate Agriculture and Environment committee with amendments by a 3-0 vote, suggesting support for the bill’s environmental goals and its focus on reducing plastic waste in the visitor industry. The bill’s findings also frame it as consistent with Hawaii’s sustainable tourism objectives, which likely contributes to its positive reception.
Contention
The main policy tension is between environmental goals and operational flexibility for lodging establishments, especially smaller businesses that would receive a later compliance date. Potential concerns include the cost of switching to bulk dispensers or non-plastic packaging, the burden of inspections and penalties, and whether the prohibition should apply uniformly across all lodging types. The bill addresses some of these concerns by phasing in compliance by establishment size and allowing non-plastic products and bulk dispensers, while also preserving the ability of counties to enact stricter rules.