Quote Originally Posted by BBC
Concord, Massachusetts bans sale of small water bottles

The US town of Concord in Massachusetts has banned the sale of bottled water in units smaller than one litre.

The law came into effect on January 1, after a three-year campaign to reduce waste and encourage tap water use.

First offenders will get a warning. Anyone caught selling the banned bottles a second time will be fined $25 (£15), with $50 for further offences.

The Australian town of Bundanoon introduced a complete ban on bottled water in 2009.

More than 90 universities in the US and others around the world have already restricted the sale of plastic bottles, as have some local government authorities.,

Concord has not introduced any restrictions on the sale of small bottles of other drinks, and the bylaw has an exemption in case of emergencies.

Campaigners say Americans consume 50 billion small bottles of water each year.

The bottled water industry says the small bottles are essential to modern life and encourage people to live healthier lifestyles.

But Jean Hill who led the campaign for the ban in Concord, told the New York Times: "What I'm trying to do with this bylaw is to increase the barriers to buying single-serve bottled water."

"In order to help people change, you need to put policies in place that steer them away from buying bottled water and toward considering the many other good alternatives."

Some of the town's residents argue the ban is pointless, as they can go down the road and buy small bottles from shops in neighbouring towns.

Ms Hill says she was inspired to begin her campaign by her grandson, who told her about a vast floating island of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean.
A good idea?
Or Teh Evul Big Guvmint intefering in the lives of Joe and Jane Q Public again?

I for one have seen the rise and rise in the popularity of bottled water in the last decade or two with a little disdain. Tap water is absolutely fine in the UK, as it has been elsewhere on my travels. In London where I live it's ok but the taste isn't great so we use a water-filter. At work we have a water fountain which I use to refill my own flask for daily use.
If we go out for the day, on bikes or otherwise, I always make sure we have adequate water on us.

TBH I'm surprised that this happened in the US before a more regulated Europe.

The article doesn't mention the recyclability of the plastic used in these bottles, nor gives any indication to what percentage is recycled.

My own feeling is that people should be more responsible in their habits. But of course people aren't, so perhaps the government should step in to force a change in people's habits. For the greater good innit. I am appalled at the havoc plastic waste wreaks, and bottles are a major contributor. Bags are another one, and that is something the UK is terrible with.