The Shanghai Tourism Administrative Commission is calling on local star-rated hotels to gradually reduce the number of disposable hygiene products, such as toothbrushes, combs and little bottles of shampoo, left in guest rooms.

But the commission will not ban these convenient items, according to Dao Shuming, vice director of the commission.  

"All the hotels should be more environmentally friendly to help promote the sustainable development of the economy and society," he said. "Different hotels, considering their different business ideas and guest markets, can find their own ways to save resources."

Thirty-one local star-rated hotels, including the five-star Huating Hotel, Peace Hotel and the Four Seasons Hotel Shanghai, have said they will reduce or stop using disposable toothbrushes, toothpaste and other toiletries to protect the environment.

The Central Hotel Shanghai said it has begun providing both the disposable and reusable toothbrushes and slippers.

"We also put two environmental protection cards in every room," said Su Ling, the hotel's public relations manager. "The guests can put them on the washbasin or the bed telling our room service that they don't require the hygiene products or bedding to be replaced."

She said cutting down the amount of laundry will save a great deal of water and energy.

(Shanghai Daily July 19, 2005)