E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSBans on plastic bags have taken root in communities across the country, but banning the sale of water in plastic bottles? The town of Concord, Mass., is in line to be the first in the nation to do just that, now that the state’s attorney general has signed off. The bottled water industry, for its part, is considering a lawsuit.
Championed by an 84-year-old resident during a three-year battle, the law bans the sale of single-serving PET water bottles of one liter or less starting on Jan. 1 in Concord, population 18,000.
A first offense comes with a warning, followed by $25 for second offense and $50 for any beyond that, the Boston Globe reported. It does, however, allow for an exemption during emergencies.
Jean Hill, the Concord resident behind ban, told The Boston Globe that she was relieved after three years of work.
"I hope other towns will follow,’" Hill said. "I feel bottled water is a waste of money."
The state's attorney general initially shot down the proposed ban, but on Wednesday signed off after it was revised last year and it was approved last April by town residents in a 403-364 vote.
In a letter to Concord, state Attorney General Martha Coakley said she was confident the law could stand up in court, citing a case where the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Minnesota law that banned the sale of milk in non-returnable, non-refillable plastic containers. That law was passed in order to reduce the generation of solid waste.
The bottled water industry vowed to fight back, possibly in court.
"We are exploring all available options," the Virginia-based International Bottled Water Association said in a statement.
"This ban deprives residents of the option to choose their choice of beverage and visitors, who come to this birthplace of American independence, a basic freedom gifted to them by the actions in this town more than 200 years ago," the group added, noting Concord's place in U.S. history. "It will also deprive the town of needed tax revenue and harm local businesses that rely on bottled water sales."
The activist group Ban The Bottle welcomed Concord's move, calling it the first of its kind in the U.S.
Some other cities "are taking steps to curb bottled water sales, but only in city and municipal buildings," the group's Tomas Bosque told NBC News. Several universities have done so as well.
San Francisco is considering an ordinance that would require owners of new and renovated buildings to install filling stations, he said, and the city already has such stations at various parks, schools and its airport.
Bundanoon, an Australian town, enacted a ban in 2009 and believes it was the first government to do so anywhere.
More content from NBCNews.com:
- Drew Peterson found guilty of killing third wife, Kathleen Savio
- Judge rules Fort Hood shooting suspect must be 'forcibly shaved'
- Hurricane Michael becomes year's first Category 3 storm; Leslie eyes Bermuda
- 4 dead after school bus collides with semi-truck in Nebraska
- Video: Guilty pleas entered in Ohio bridge bomb plot
Leave a Comment:
Unless the ban includes having bottled water in your possession, there are still going to be plastic bottles in the trash. I agree with the deposit fee on plastic water bottles as they do on soda and beer. That makes much more sense to encourage recycling. Concord is a small town, I bet people do their food shopping outside the town anyways!
Here we go - Now the Goverment is telling us what we can spend our money to purchase.
Since you can't go to a fast food place or service station and get a FREE cup of water or ice anymore what are people like me who are Diabetic and should not drink bottled soda suppose to purchase?
This is another FREEDOM that our wonderful goverment is taking away!
I'm no fan of bottled water, I think it's stupid, unnecessary, and a waste of money. But I wouldn't support a ban on selling bottled water. If an idiot is too stupid to understand that America's water is some of the cleanest and safest on the planet, that's their own choice.
Playing devils advocate, this isn't a ban on drinking bottled water, this is a ban on selling bottled water. If you live in Concord and you're one of the above mentioned idiots that lives in a delusional world where your water isn't safe or clean, then you can drive to the next town and buy your bottled water and drink it at home.
Concord stop worying about water bottles and get back to starting the revolution.
Jean Hill, the Concord resident behind ban, told The Boston Globe that she was relieved after three years of work.
"I hope other towns will follow,'" Hill said. "I feel bottled water is a waste of money."
So she feels it's a waste of money and everybody in Concord now HAS to agree with her? What's becoming of the US?
So an 80 year old thinks it's a waste and decides to get it banned.
That's fine. Ban plastic bottled water if you want.
But, when people start getting sick from refilling their containers little old ladies consider better, will they make them chicken soup and nurse them to health? Sorry, but most people just refill water containers without washing them. Do that for a week and then look at the container. I have a co-worker who had mildew growing on the lid of his water bottle because he never washed it. It's just water, right?
This is a case of useless legislation based on a minority opinion. (sure, more people supported the ban than opposed it, but total votes made up less than 5% of the citys population, so the people against plastic bottles is something like 2-3% of Concord. Again, the vocal few get their way due to voter apathy)
A waste of money? That's debatable but it's not this woman's decision to shove down other peoples throats. So if you are out running errands and get thirsty, you would have to buy a bottle of something else instead of the healthy choice of water. I can't believe a ban like this got passed.
Actually, the article states that only bottles smaller than a liter are banned. If you really are that thirsty, buy a liter of water instead and sip it the entire day. Its better for you that way!
Ah I missed the part about the size tks. I still think it's a dumb thing to devote yourself to fighting against and a dumb ban but at least you can still buy a bottle of water when you have to.
Hatsumomo-
And who are you determine what volume of water I should have to carry with me? let's say I'm out and about walking around lovely downtown concord (I have no idea what that looks like, FYI). Why should law dictate that I have to purchase and carry around a full 2.1 pounds of water if I'm thirsty? Sure, it might be a bit more economical on a cost-per-unit sense, that's sort of a large and awkward size bottle to have stick in a bag or pocket or just have in your hand for the whole day, or for the hour it takes you to get through the whole thing. Shouldn't I have the liberty to determine how much water to carry with me or wish to purchase at one time? If I'm only a little thirsty, why should I be compelled to purchase more than I want just so that I can carry around the excess in case I may need it in the future?
Michele-so the ban is dumb, but it's dumb to fight against a dumb ban? Really? so what should be fighting against? Should we only be fighting against smart policies?
Huh?? I did NOT SAY that fighting against the ban was dumb.. I said it was a dumb ban to fight FOR.....at least on the premise that someone thinks it's a waste of money. Back it up now and maybe you want to revise your reply?
Michele--ok, may have been some subject/object confusion. When you said:
I still think it's a dumb thing to devote yourself to fighting against and a dumb ban
I assumed "thing" referred to the ban.
Justross, uh, I didnt say what size water you could buy. It clearly states 1 liter IN THE ARTICLE! And furthermore, if you dont want to carry around a heavy water with you, chug it, share it with someone(significant other, friend even your kids if you dont mind backwash!) dump the rest in a potted plant or just take a sip and throw the rest away. Just because you have to buy 1 liter bottles dosent mean you have to finish them if youre so against it.
hatsumomo--I was using "you" in the sense of you being someone who favors this sort of policy. You might not have written it, but you support it, you think it's a good idea, so you are trying to tell me that is the size of water I should be able to buy. But if you still want to duck responsibility for the arguments you are supporting, think of the "you" in the sense of anyone who would tell "me," as in anyone else, what size of water they should buy.
As to rest of your argument-if I don't wich to carry it or chug it, and do not have anyone to share it with, is it appropriate for the government to require me to wastefully spend my money to buy more than I want or intend to consume? Would you consider it a wise government policy to require you buy more bananas than you wished to consume, and told you "well, if you don't want them, just throw the rest away"?
Further, if the end result is I buy and throw away bigger bottles at the same rate as I used to consume the smaller bottles, it seems that INCREASES the amount of waste in landfills, rather than decreasing it.
The article said "jean hill thinks bottled water is a waste of money". Hey Jean,we don't care what you "think",I think she is stupid but I'm sure nobody cares!
I support this fully, while my husband dosent. Its the one prickly thing we cannot agree one, bottled water. He absolutely REFUSES to drink any water from taps no matter the circumstance. He says its unheathly and the San Antonio water system puts out polluted water with contaminants that "he can taste". No kidding. I on the other hand, grew up drinking tap water(I was raised dirt poor and tap is free) and I think it taste just fine. None the less, he spends quite a bit every week buying cases of water and it drives me batty.
I'm one who can also taste the difference. If you don't like the taste of a particular areas tap water then you won't drink it. Shouldn't you be glad he's being health and drinking water instead of soda or whatever
And there's the rub.
Tell your husband if purity is the issue he'd be better off purifying his own water. He'd do a better job for less money.
Well, there is a whole list of factors that come into play when I argue with my husband about his bottled water obsession. First, I dont think he's doing it to be healthy. He's a drinker, mostly IPAs and stout porters. If its not beer, then its bottled waters. Or those NERD energy drinks. He's incredibly picky that way. If he was truly drinking BWs to become healthier, I could get behind it more. Secondly, he leaves those damn bottles EVERYWHERE around the house! Under desks, under/beside couches, I find then in the hallways, as though he's walking through the house and just drops the empty bottles where he is! On the floor of his side of the bed and piled up in his car. And the majority arent empty either. Have you seen that movie "Signs"? With the little girl who only takes a sip of water from a glass and leaves them all over the house? Just like that. Its not something to call for a divorce by a long shot, but its enough to cement my loathing of plastic bottled waters!
Where do you get that tap is free? If you use more then a certain amount of water in a month, you are charged more money per usage. As the water usage increases so does the money you pay. This is all water usage in Florida. This includes bathing, drinking and any other usage. As usuage goes up, your payment per litre goes up as well. So, I am beginning to think her family money is in the electric/water company. We do not know the whole story here. This is probably a ploy to get people to use more tap water which you do have to pay for too. It seems like a hit on the water bottle companies for some reason?? But, anyway, I will continue to use my bottled water and I agree if you use distilled or purefied water it is a lot better for you then some tap water. I got sick drinking tap water in Florida. So, I only drink purefied water and distilled water. My health is a lot more important to me then anything. I would definitely fight this ban and get it reversed if I lived in this town. But since I do not, I will fight any ban that they try to bring about in my state and community that is for sure.
This is outrageous overreaching, just like city governments banning transfats. Tap water is gross. I drink bottled water almost every day of the week. And hasn't anyone in that city heard of recycling?
The only reason I don't drink more bottled water is because we have a water cooler at my office and a filtered tap in my fridge at home.
The woman behind this ban, and many people posting, claim "Bottled water is a waste of money." Well, when is it your job to tell other people how to spend their money? If they want to waste their own money, that is their business. Oh, I forgot, in the fascist state of Massachusetts, the good little Nazis make it their duty to tell other people what to do. Heil Massachusetts!
Wow, "fascist" huh, you sure hit the nail on the head!
Cause that's how Hitler started. Banning bottled water.
Yup, liberty began here and is ending here. Stick a 5 or 10 cent deposit on dem bottles and i guarantee you wont see a single one laying around or filling a land fill. Another knee jerk reaction for all you lemminga out there that need the state or federal government to tell you what to do, when to do it and how to do it. i am all about the recycle and I dont need another law.
HELLO 17 oz. bottle!!!
darn it, wrong size. 34 oz is a liter. meant 35. pop or soda whatever you call it already comes in a 1 liter bottle so whats an ounce???
That sounds like a win for bottled water companies to me, people just have to buy a larger product. Doesn't seem to ban the possession of bottles.
It is for the 1 litre plastic and under. I can see WHY a COMMUNITY wants it banned. Everywhere I turn SMALL PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES appear are on roads, sidewalks, courtyards , grounds, lawns, stadiums, parks, lakes, streams, oceans, beaches, trails,parking lots, ETC, ETC,ETC. As though THE HEALTH NUTS WHO DRINK WATER ALL DAY have NO BRAINS but POLLUTE and lay waste THEIR TRASH like it is GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT. How SELFISH. Get a REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE. ONE BIG DUH !!!! Soda is different!!!
THE CLEAN-UP for TRASH spewed all over a community must be expensive ! So I applaud their decision. I wish we had the same. USE A REFILL TYPE WATER BOTTLE that simple.
So who wants to go setup a store just outside the city limits solely for the sale of water in plastic bottles. I bet we can make a killing.
I am with you on this. When do we start? LOL
This could be the first shot fired in the plastic bottle revolution !
Where I live, I'll see individuals walking around, with a carriage, going through barrels, looking for anything that has a nickel deposit. Why not start requiring any plastic or glass bottles, have a nickel deposit on them?
Concord, MA....no longer on my vacation list to go see. What a bunch of liberal idiots!
i walk along the railroad tracks every day with my dog and i have always noticed a lot of these unlabled empty tossed aside plastic water bottles. a long time ago i realized its the union pacific workers who toss them. i'm talking a lot over the years and i can't count on the ones i've picked up. these workers feel like the world is their trash bin and being '' union'' government workers why bother making a complaint except here. i have even seen remnents of poop piles and t.p. where these workers without a porta potty just go under a bridge. go on union pacifics web site and they brag about what enviormantilists they are. shame on you union pacific workers who trash our envoirment. UNION PACIFIC is part of the problem. i wonder if its like this in every state cause 'm discusted with it.