Department of Tourism has bans plastic bottles in star-rated hotels

KATHMANDU, Oct 25:The government has banned plastic bottles at four-star and above hotels.

"The ban applies to all four-star, five-star, five-star deluxe, and deluxe and luxury hotels and resorts," stated Narayan Prasad Regmi, director general of the Department of Tourism.

On Tuesday, the Department of Tourism issued a regulation urging high-end hotels and resorts to no longer serve water in plastic bottles and instead use glass bottles and metal cutlery.

"Considering the potential health hazards and environmental concerns, the directive was issued," Regmi said.

He stated that the agency intended to expand the restriction to other hotels and resorts in the coming days, following consultations with stakeholders.

The Hotel Association Nepal, which represents Nepal's hotels and resorts, announced in June 2022 that all types of disposable plastic bottles, drinking straws, plates, drink stirrers, cutlery, toothbrushes, and combs, among others, would be prohibited at all of its member establishments beginning January 1, 2025.