Mar 17 - San Francisco Closer to Banning Sale of Bottled Water

In 2007 not only was San Francisco the first city in the nation to pass an ordinance banning plastic bags, it also became the first city in the nation to end municipal spending on bottled water, a move that would cause many cities and universities across the country to start thinking about phasing out plastic water bottles.

Now, San Francisco is one step closer to becoming the first major U.S. city to phase out the sale and distribution of bottled water on city property. The city’s Board of Supervisors approved the measure unanimously on March 4th. It will now head to the mayor’s desk after one more board approval.

The legislation prevents event holders, permitted vendors and lessees on city property, and city departments from purchasing water bottles. This will not apply to current lessees and permit holders but to future ones, and foot races and other sporting events will be exempt as well.

The legislation also would require the city government to increase access to public water.

According to Ban the Bottle, the average American used 167 disposable water bottles, but only recycled 38. Hopefully with increased access to public water, more consumers will start carrying their reusuable water bottles.

For background information on why the city adopted the ordinance.