Filling your wash bag with a few toiletries from the hotel bathroom may be a perk of a trip at home or abroad, but not for much longer. In the fight against waste in general and climate change in particular, the EU will ban its hotels from filling its bathrooms with mini-toiletries – the shampoo, conditioner and shower gels that all come in small plastic containers.

A commission report has highlighted the waste produced by each individual in the EU and aims to reduce that level – an average of 180kg per person per year – and it is hoped the move will help “put the packaging sector on track for climate neutrality by 2050”.

The move is part of the EU’s Green Deal Circular Economy Action Plan which aims to make all packaging recyclable in the next seven years.

The report states: “Packaging is one of the main users of virgin materials as 40 per cent of plastics and 50 per cent of paper used in the EU is destined for packaging. The new rules aim to stop this trend. For consumers, they will ensure reusable packaging options, get rid of unnecessary packaging, limit overpackaging, and provide clear labels to support correct recycling.”

The next step before the move is finalised is for the European Parliament to consider the proposals.