Refills Not Landfills: Isn’t this a Great Idea for the Coastside?

Perhaps the most important detail in the city’s ban on bottles was the implementation of  refill stations into the community infrastructure. Refill stations allow people to conveniently carry canteens and access purified public drinking water.

A petition emulating the SF ban was used on February 2, 2016 to show support to the San Luis Obispo City Council in their consideration to adopt an ordinance similar to the one put forth by the City of San Francisco.

Reasoning for the proposed ordinance:  Single-use water bottles have been established as a societal norm, and a waste steam worthy of concern is resulting from the industry’s growth.   The international water bottle association reports a 2150% increase in the average American citizens consumption of bottled water since its introduction into the marketplace in 1976. Out of that stems a legitimate problem as The Natural Resources Defense Council reports that nearly 4 out of 5 single-use bottles go un-recycled in the U.S.

Annually this leaves 40 billion bottles to end up in our landfills or in our environment.(PET plastic bottles take anywhere from 400-1000 years to degrade.)

This issue is something that derives primarily from the need for convenience, but is a waste stream that could be tackled if people opted for the more financially and environmentally responsible reusable bottle.

Refill stations are not in the San Luis Obispo infrastructure and this ordinance would call for their implementation, allowing people to conveniently opt for the more responsible alternative of refilling their water bottle.

If you like this idea for the Coastside, support this measure please sign!

Imagine these refill stations on Main Street, at New Leaf and Safeway, the schools, parks, state parks, certain stores around town – where would you like to see a hydration refill station on the Coastside?