The US Conference of Mayors, meeting in Miami, banned bottled water this week. The cities will no longer use municipal funds to purchase water bottles.
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who proposed the resolution along with 17 other big-city mayors, said:
"Cities are sending the wrong message about the quality of public water when we spend taxpayer dollars on water in disposable containers from a private corporation."
But Newsom isn't exactly the first person on the tap-water train. Sixty American mayors have already canceled their hydration contracts, and some places in Canada have also banned the bottle.
Rejecting plastic water bottles is more environmentally and financially sustainable. Millions of bottles a day do not get recycled, and the plastic takes at least 1,000 years to biodegrade.
The American Beverage Association feels betrayed. In a statement, the association reminded those ready to turn on the bottle that private companies come to the rescue during emergencies that compromise public water systems. The statement also notes that plastic bottles are 100 percent recyclable.
Should thirsty city workers be subjected to tap water? First plastic bags, now plastic water bottles, whatever will we do?! Well, here are some great alternatives to the plastic water bottle.
Pedro Garcia
Beach Time
Lanvin
Water filters seem like they'd be a good solution.
I don't know about other cities, but I do know that the tap water where I live is pretty gross. It doesn't make one sick (as far as I know), but it leaves all kinds of weird sediment in the glass, and that just can't be good.
1Ick. The tap water in Indy was horrible. I think a big problem was the old pipes that were still being used, but needed to be replaced.
2Tap in the Bay Area tastes great to me. Might I ad that it is not society's job to conform to corporate best interests but corporate interests to conform to society. We're going to look out for ourselves if you don't want to come along then get off the wagon.
3We have a filtering system here at work and the water tastes delicious... when I'm out and about and forget my Nalgene, I admit I'll buy plastic water bottles though.
4I only drink Coke and since I have none of my original teeth left, I am no longer concerned about cavities.
5LOL! Rac something tells me you've got one left in your head.
6Tap water tastes disgusting.
7the tap water here in the bay area is awesome -- but my guilty pleasure is lemon flavored perrier and calistoga mineral waters... which you have to buy in a bottle.
8I've found tap water tastes a lot better when it's very cold. Still doesn't solve the yucky sediment problem, though.
9I always you had class yesteryear. LOL!
10Tap water tastes like hell and why don't we just outlaw everything, abolish this dumbass goverment we have and go back to living in caves and hunting (or growing for you vegans) all our food. I think we'd be much happier.
11Just a clarification — They're not outlawing water bottles in general, they just will no longer use city funds to purchase water bottles, instead relying on the municipal water sources.
12Thanks Liberty, I feel much better.
13I live in Atlanta so I don't care where it comes from as long as it gets here.
14ha, i wish that's all it took to have class...
15yesteryear - smoking is bad for your health you know. If you're gonna stop using plastic you should give up cigs also; just looking out for you. :0
16amber: well, i've been smoking since 1903 and it hasn't killed me yet!
17Is that an antioxidant cig you smoke? If so, send some over. I'm 50 and would love to extend my life. :rofl:
18I think you should edit this article to explain the issue a little better. Clearly they're not banning plastic water bottles throughout the city, but the article doesn't really specify. It's a little confusing.
19I was confused too.
20San Francisco has also banned Styrofoam containers from all food service businesses. The Chinese restaurant I frequent near our office had to switch to recycled type containers which cost more. They did pass a little of the cost on too the customer but it is a price I'm happy to pay.
21Good point. All fixed up!
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