BOSTON, March 27, 2024 – Green Century and Hilton Worldwide Holdings reached a multi-year agreement for the major hotel chain to release an assessment of its single-use plastic by 2025 and set a plastic reduction goal by 2026.
The announcement comes after competitors Marriott and Choice Hotels also agreed to measure and reduce single-use plastic, following agreements with Green Century.
“Neither Hilton nor its investors want to be stuck holding the bill for the environmental and health impacts of single-use plastic,” said Leslie Samuelrich, president of Green Century. “We applaud Hilton for committing to reduce its contribution to the plastic pollution crisis.”
Plastic Pollution Crisis Continues to Grow
Plastic pollution has been doubling every six years. Plastics don’t degrade, but break into small pieces called microplastics, which impact oceans, soil, the atmosphere, and human health.
“Consumers learn more everyday about the serious issues with plastic,” said Douglass Guernsey, shareholder advocate at Green Century. “Companies need a strategy for the future beyond single-use plastic.”
Hilton, like its competitors, provides single-use plastic in its rooms, guest common spaces, and food service locations.
While the environmental and health impacts of single-use plastic have long alarmed scientists, the scale of crisis is just starting to be better understood by consumers.
According to a recent study, seventy-five percent of Americans want to see the private-sector offer plastic free options, and 72% agree that companies should stop producing and using so much single-use plastic.
Recycling may not be the solution it once promised. Only 9% of plastics have been recycled, and many plastics aren’t recyclable at all, despite sporting the famous chasing arrows symbols.
Even plastics that are commonly recyclable, like #1 PET, pose significant challenges. Color, size, shape, chemical additives, and downcycling prevent many plastics from being turned into new products.