SF3942

Purpose

This bill would add a new rule under Minnesota solid-w waste law to reduce plastic waste by banning the provision of certain plastic-packaged personal care products at hotels and health clubs. It aims to prevent guests from taking plastic-containing products off the premises and to move toward bulk or non-plastic options.

Key Provisions

• Prohibition
  • Hotels and health clubs may not provide personal care products in a plastic container, plastic wrapper, or other plastic packaging if the guest could remove it from the premises.
  • The list of affected products includes items typically used in showers or baths such as shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, body wash, or shower gel; lotions; disposible razors; hand soap; and hand sanitizer.
• Exceptions and compliance options
  • A hotel may make restricted products available to a guest upon request.
  • The section allows, and may require, the use of refillable bulk personal care product dispensers and/or restricts packaging that is not made of plastic (the bill text is phrased to allow plastic refillable bulk dispensers and to address non-plastic packaging in relation to the dispenser requirement).
• Definitions (key terms used in the section)
  • Commissioner: the commissioner of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
  • Guest: a person using the facilities of a health club or hotel.
  • Health club: as defined in Minnesota law.
  • Hotel: as defined in Minnesota law.
  • Personal care product: items like shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, body wash, shower gel, lotion, disposable razor, hand soap, or hand sanitizer.
  • Lotion: a thick liquid or cream applied to the body for medicinal or cosmetic purposes.
• Enforcement and penalties
  • Enforcement officers: the commissioner or a county board may enforce this section (under the solid waste statute framework) after meeting certain requirements.
  • First violation: the violator receives a notice of violation by certified mail, with no monetary penalty.
  • Subsequent violations: a civil penalty of up to $500 for each day of violation, with a cap of $10,000 in civil penalties per establishment per year.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Adds a new prohibition under the solid waste framework (Minnesota Statutes chapter 325E) specifically targeting plastic packaging of certain personal care products in hotels and health clubs.
• Introduces a defined enforcement mechanism and penalties (notice for first violation; daily civil penalties for ongoing violations; annual cap), aligning with environmental enforcement processes (116.072).
• Establishes or reinforces requirements around how personal care products can be provided (favoring refillable bulk dispensers and limiting non-plastic packaging), and creates a pathway for exceptions when guests request restricted products.

Impact Overview

• Environmental: Aims to cut plastic waste from guest rooms by moving away from single-use plastic containers.
• Operational: Hotels and health clubs would need to adjust procurement and in-facility dispensing to comply (likely shifting toward bulk refillable dispensers).
• Enforcement: Establishments face monetary penalties for repeat violations, with a yearly cap per location.

Relevant Terms - plastic containers - hotels - health clubs - personal care product - shampoo - conditioner - bath soap - body wash - shower gel - lotion - disposable razor - hand soap - hand sanitizer - guest - commissioner - Minnesota Pollution Control Agency - solid waste - Minnesota Statutes chapter 325E - dispenser - refillable bulk dispensers - violation - notice of violation - civil penalty - per day - annual cap - establishment - enforcement (116.072)