Disposable toothbrushes, toothpastes and sleepers, which used to be symbols of convenience and comfort in luxury hotels, will be phased out in Beijing's star-rated hotels in a bid to save resources.

Beijing's 141 star-rated hotels have jointly announced they would reduce the daily commodities provided in guest rooms and wash quilt covers, pillowslips, bath gowns according to guest's requirement.

"We take these measures to advocate the concept of 'green consumption' to prepare for a 'green' Olympics in 2008," said Xu Jinzhi, head of the Beijing Travel Hotel Association.

Beijing has 100,000 guest rooms with about 140,000 to 150,000 beds, and if 60 percent of them were occupied annually, there would be at least 100,000 toothbrushes to dispose everyday, which would cause big environmental pressure because they are hard to decompose, Xu said.

Beijing Jianguo Group has 480 hotels under its name, and they consume 21 tons of water and washing chemicals every day. Reducing the laundry frequency will save a great deal of resources, said Ding Xiaoliang, general manager of Beijing Jianguo Hotel. 

"I don't think just removing the daily commodities can show a good sense of environmental protection, it depends on whether the products provided can be reused," Lu Yuguo, vice manager of Grand Hyatt Beijing, implying that improving the quality of these products is more essential to energy conservation.

Though at the starting stage of reducing commodity supplies, these hotels have received quite a few complaints. However, more guests have expressed understanding.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2005)