San Francisco is taking drastic action against water bottle pollution. They are completely prohibiting water bottle sales on the city’s properties. Why? “Given that San Franciscans can access clean and inexpensive water out of our taps, we need to wean ourselves out of our addiction to plastic water bottles,” said David Chiu, the author of the ordinance.
On Tuesday, March 4th 2014, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to pass the ordinance that bans sale of plastic water bottles smaller than 21 ounces on city property. This will be effective on October 1st 2014.
San Francisco is leading the way again by reducing plastic waste. In 2007, the city was the first to ban plastic bag use in large grocery stores. In 2012 it further banned non-compostable plastic bags from being used in restaurants and retail stores. Today, stores are required to charge a minimum of 10-cents on allowed plastic bags with some exceptions.
Chiu is very passionate about making San Francisco the most green city. Other arguments he uses to support this new ban is that water bottles consume a lot of oil in production and transportation. Also, that the “fad” of water bottles started in the 1990s and before then “everybody managed to stay hydrated” —Chiu [Source]
The Plastic Water Bottle Fight Rages On
Even though this ordinance may seem completely innovative, it is only the next stage in the longer fight against environmental pollution by water bottles and water bottle companies.
- in 2008 the Toronto City Council approved a water bottle ban to begin in 2012. The ban prohibits distribution of water bottles in all city facilities and parks. (Canada beat us to it)
- Dozens of US universities have water-bottle-free policies with various levels of strictness.
- There are 14 water-bottle-free national parks, including the Grand Canyon National Park.
- The City of Concord was the first US city to pass a water-bottle ban. The law prohibits the sale of non-sparking, unflavored drinking water in plastic bottles of 1-liter or less.
- Supervisor Chiu of the city of San Francisco previously sponsored legislation that would require water fountains with water bottle filling capabilities in all new construction in the city.
Twitter Reactions to the San Francisco Water Bottle Ordinance
Positive Reactions
@TheDrGinger good stuff! Goes along w/ plastic bag ban. Saves money & the planet! #SanFrancisco
— Dr. Bartoszewski (@PolishChiro) March 19, 2014
@daily49er @SI_pune way to go. Other cities should take note
— Shraddha Zende (@cuteshraddha) March 13, 2014
After watching "Tapped", I couldn't be more supportive of @DavidChiu's plastic water bottle ban http://t.co/0GLT8eIscw
— The Tenant Advocate (@BenjaminOsgood) March 5, 2014
Way to go, San Francisco! SF becomes first major city to ban the plastic water bottle! http://t.co/pNyzbhOmOK
— One World One Ocean (@1World1Ocean) March 6, 2014
RT love this initiative. Need more like this "@HuffPostGreen: Major city moves close to ban on plastic water bottles http://t.co/A3EpXqhX2N"
— Hilary Thompson (@HilaryThompson1) March 5, 2014
Massive victory! San Francisco, California bans plastic bottle sales on city property. #toxicplastic… http://t.co/QRsHinXzmu
— Chris Pincetich (@ChrisPincetich) March 19, 2014
Thinking outside the bottle! S.F. bans bottled water. #sustainability #ecodesign
http://t.co/hWpNblKXd5
— Ramon Rubio (@ramonrubio74) March 19, 2014
And even all the way from Indonesia, from the World Wildlife Fund:
Sudah pernah dengar BYOWB? Bring Your Own Water Bottle. San Francisco Ban Of Plastic Water Bottles! http://t.co/kPqg9uByue
— WWF-Indonesia (@WWF_ID) March 14, 2014
Negative Reactions
Mixed feelings about the SF plastic water bottle ban. Will this cause an increase in sugary beverage consumption? http://t.co/pG2viSXSAs …
— Steffie Pardo Harner (@spharner) March 5, 2014
While I applaud the intent, SF's ban on plastic water bottle sales could just drive soda and sparking water sales: http://t.co/XtvI8ET7du
— Charlotte Matthews (@greendesignus) March 17, 2014
Plastic water bottle ban: the sort of green initiative San Francisco excels at because no parking spots were lost. http://t.co/AZ0DrcAcLG
— Militant Pedestrian (@transbay) March 5, 2014
God forbid you carry a plastic water bottle in San Francisco.
— Patricia Gomez (@passive_pat) March 13, 2014
And, of course, the GOP response:
While SF deals with huge problems (housing, transporation), the Board of Supervisors focuses on water bottles: http://t.co/R9xUlRI3NK
— San Francisco GOP (@SFGOP) March 12, 2014
Follow the law, or else
Regardless of the mixed responses to the new ordinance, it includes a penalty for those who don’t comply: a hefty $1,000 fine each time they are caught selling individual water bottles in a way conflicting with the ordinance.
So, yes this will go into effect in October and it may start catching on in other cities. Will we see sales of other bottled products such as juices go up? It is very likely, however we hope that the majority of current water bottle drinkers do not merely switch to different plastic bottles, but instead switch to refillable bottles.
What are your thoughts? Comment below or send me a tweet at @juiceituppnow. I can help hook you up with the best juicer for you; they put plastic to a much better use!
Sources: http://www.sfenvironment.org/sites/default/files/agenda/attach/reducing_plastic_water_bottles_on_city_property_backround_legislation_0.pdf
http://www.webpronews.com/san-francisco-ban-of-plastic-water-bottles-2014-03
http://www.sfbg.com/2014/03/11/sf-bans-water-bottles
Interesting, I’m wondering why they did not ban the sales plastic soda bottles under a certain amount also, or do they already have a law about that? Also, I’m curious if the companies revenue takes a dive, will that mean job layoffs for some who work at water bottling companies.
Opal recently posted…Keeping it simple: Avocado salad
There is not any law that bans plastic soda bottles. The rationality is that clean water is already available in the city without having to import it in bottles, so it is a total waste. With Coca-cola, it is different because bottles is a primary source of distribution, you’ll only find tap Coca-cola in bars and restaurants.
It’s possible that some jobs will be lost, but not that many. The actual manufacturing part of water bottles is mostly done in factories by very few people.
Aaron C. recently posted…San Francisco Bans Sale of Water Bottles Within City Limits
It only goes to show that people need to start learning how to recycle and properly dispose water bottles.
Kathryn Dilligard recently posted…The Site Owl
Amen to that.