A popular tourism destination near Shanghai is discussing ways to encourage hotels and restaurants to cut back on disposable supplies, including toiletry items.

Personally, I don't mind if they cut back on one-time-use plastic combs or toothbrushes, but there's one item I hope they don't take away.

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province, is famous for the West Lake and other natural scenery. Local tourism bureau officials said this week that hotels could use incentives like complimentary breakfasts or souvenirs to make up for the reduction on disposable supplies, according to local newspapers.

This one item that I actually use and hope to continue to use is disposable slippers, something I've never seen in America. From US$20 a night inns to five-star global chain hotels, all hotels in China offer disposable slippers, made of materials ranging from paper-thin plastic nonwoven fabric to cushioned terry cotton.

I understand why hotels in America provide, say, coffee makers, while the Chinese hotels don't. But is the need for disposable slippers a cultural or regional matter?

Back to the main subject, the hotels could probably start the green initiative by having customers request specific disposable items that they need, still free of charge, when they make reservations or check in. It may be some extra work for both the customer and the hotel, but still worthwhile for the sake of eco-friendliness.