San Francisco, California – Paper or plastic? The City by the Bay that regulated Happy Meal toys, banned plastic grocery bags, and practically outlawed smoking, has a new target in its super radical health-conscious, eco-friendly crosshairs: plastic water bottles.
City officials are considering an ordinance that would require owners of new and renovated buildings with water fountains to install special bottle-filling taps. The law is designed to encourage thirsty people to refill containers instead of reaching for another bottle of Evian, Crystal Geyser, Arrowhead, Alhambra or Aquafina. Now, Supervisor David Chiu is also proposing immediately banning water bottles in parks and other public venues.
If the proposed ordinance is passed by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and approved by Mayor Ed Lee, the only water that would be allowed to be sold, distributed and consumed in buildings and public parks would be water in paper bags.
Already, warehouse stores like Costco, Target and Walmart are considering a huge public relations campaign to oppose the proposed ordinance because it would significantly cut their sales of bottled water cases, a very popular item in their inventory.
It’s time to start saving your brown paper bags. They may be the only way you would be able to drink your water in public if you live in, or visit, San Francisco.