Freebie Goodies In Illinois Hotels Are Going Away… Sort Of

There are some cool things about staying in hotels while on vacation. I didn't know this, but many folks like jumping on the bed at a hotel. Or maybe it's the complimentary breakfast some hotel chains offer. Of course, many of us love returning from a day of sightseeing to a freshly made room that looks brand new again. One of the things I loved about hotels, however, is that the free mini bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are going away—at least in Illinois.

Packaging World reports that a new law in Illinois, signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker, will outlaw small plastic toiletries in hotels, such as hand lotion, shampoo, and conditioner. Illinois isn't even the first state to ban them; Washington, New York, and California have implemented similar bans.

I'll admit, these days, as a 52-year-old adult, I'm not much for raiding the bathroom counter and throwing the little bottles of whatever trendy shampoo, conditioner, or moisturizing cream the hotel provides into my bag for a souvenir. However, just because that's not my jam doesn't mean others don't love it.

When Stacey and I were in Chicago for the Rolling Stones show and stayed at a relatively upscale downtown hotel, she took great joy in taking the little bottles home as a free souvenir. I think that's part of the reason hotels offer them.

It's another nice little hotel trinket that technology or being good stewards of our natural resources will kill. In my mind, the personal-sized toiletries replaced the hotel stationary and elegant-looking type pens you used to find on the desk that you could use or take. They're not as cool, but they still delight travelers of all ages.

So, with single-use bottles being banned in Illinois, will they be banned in other places like Missouri? I think we could be heading there. With bans in California and New York, all it'll take is a ban in Texas, and I think they'll be gone for good. When large states like those create a law, many large companies implement compliance across the board because it's easier.

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One loophole: According to WGN, hotels can still provide personal-care products in small single-use containers at no charge to guests, but only upon request at a place other than a hotel room or a public bathroom. So, for the weary traveler who forgets their shampoo or is leery of pumping their shampoo or soap out of a dispenser attached to the wall of the shower, it's still an option.

At least we still have the small bars of hand soap you can take home as a souvenir. That hasn't gone away yet.