Podcast 260: The ethical dilemma of travel minis

Picture this: you’ve just checked into a hotel after a long journey. You unpack your bags, take a deep breath, and head into the bathroom. And there, you see tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner and lotion neatly lined up. They seem harmless, even charming. But here’s the thing: billions of these travel minis are produced, used, and discarded every year, creating a staggering amount of waste.

So why do we still have them? Hotels claim they meet guest expectations, and beauty brands see them as valuable exposure. But in a world where sustainability is no longer a luxury, should convenience come at such a high cost?

In this episode of Green Beauty Conversations, Lorraine Dallmeier, Chartered Environmentalist, Biologist and CEO of Formula Botanica, uncovers the ethical dilemma of travel minis. She explores everything from why the beauty and hospitality industries continue to cling to these plastic minis to what needs to change.

Last week, Lorraine spoke with holistic travel expert Andrea Endres about sustainable travel beauty, refillable options, and the challenges brands face breaking into hotels. If you missed it, make sure to check it out before listening to this week’s episode.

“In an era where sustainability is no longer a luxury but a necessity, it’s worth asking: at what cost do we continue this cycle of convenience?” — Lorraine Dallmeier

Key takeaways:

• Travel minis are a massive contributor to plastic waste: Hotels, airlines, and retailers distribute billions of these tiny bottles annually – the majority of which end up in landfills or waterways. Their small size also makes them difficult to recycle, and their sheer volume is overwhelming.
• Some progress is happening, but change is slow:  California has already banned plastic travel minis in hotels, pushing for refillable dispensers instead. Major hotel chains like InterContinental and Marriott are following suit, eliminating thousands of tonnes of plastic annually. But many are still reluctant to let go of these plastic-heavy habits.
• Luxury and sustainability are often seen as opposites:  High-end hotels and airlines partner with beauty brands to offer guests premium travel-sized products. But true luxury doesn’t have to mean excess.
• Consumers and brands both have a role to play: While brands must innovate beyond single-use plastics, travellers like you can make a difference too. Bring your own reusable toiletries and send a clear message to the hospitality industry that sustainability is more important than convenience.
• The future of travel beauty needs a cultural shift: It’s not just about replacing plastic bottles with refillable ones – it’s about redefining travel beauty altogether. Brands and hotels need to embrace multifunctional, low-waste products, using biodegradable or circular materials, and move away from the outdated idea that luxury equates to excess.

What do you think? Are you still using travel minis, or have you made the switch to sustainable alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Thank you for joining us for this episode of the Formula Botanica Green Beauty Conversations podcast. If you enjoyed listening, please share, subscribe and review this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Youtube so that more people can enjoy the show. Don’t forget to follow and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

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Lorraine Dallmeier

Lorraine Dallmeier is a Biologist, Chartered Environmentalist and the CEO of Formula Botanica, the award-winning online organic cosmetic science school. Read more about Lorraine and the Formula Botanica Team.