Mandarin Oriental continues to replace single-use plastics

The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) is continuing its progress in eliminating single-use plastic across its portfolio, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic having led to hotel closures and low occupancies, slowing the depletion of existing stocks of plastic products.

In October 2019, the group pledged to eliminate all single-use plastic across its portfolio of 33 luxury properties – in all areas of its operation including bedrooms, spa, restaurants and bars – by the end of March 2021.

This timeline may now be extended due to the coronavirus, but according to an update the Group has so far eliminated an average of 70% of the 60 common single-use plastic items used by hoteliers.

Alongside this, items completely removed and replaced with eco-alternatives include cocktail sticks, straws, body scrubs, plastic spatulas and takeaway bags.

The Group states that hygiene and the ‘highest sanitary standards’ can be maintained without single-use non reusable plastics and has been offering guests ‘We Care’ packages that include reusable fabric face masks.

Pilot tests to trial wall-mounted dispensers to replace small plastic toiletry containers have been successfully completed and, in most cases, are being installed across the MOHG portfolio. Hotels are working with luxury brands such as Diptyque to fill dispensers with chemical-free products.