You may have heard tell of the town that banned single-serving plastic water bottles. The Huffington Post was one of the many news outlets that reported on the law when it took effect in early 2013.
“Concord, Massachusetts, has become one of the first communities in the U.S. to ban the sale of single-serving plastic water bottles. According to the Associated Press, the plastic bottle ban resulted from a three-year campaign by local activists. The activists pushed to reduce waste and fossil fuel use. …
“The campaign Ban the Bottle claims that ‘It takes 17 million barrels of oil per year to make all the plastic water bottles used in the U.S. alone. That’s enough oil to fuel 1.3 million cars for a year.’ Their website also states: ‘In 2007, Americans consumed over 50 billion single serve bottles of water. With a recycling rate of only 23%, over 38 billion bottles end up in landfills.’ According to the EPA, in 2010, the U.S. generated 31 million tons of plastic waste. …
“Not everyone is happy with the ban. WHDH reports that some businesses are also working around it by selling larger bottles, since the rule only focuses on smaller ones. Local Jenny Fioretti voiced one concern to the news group: “Towns are close enough that people can walk two minutes and go get it from Acton or Bedford. It doesn’t really help I don’t think.” More here.
Many bikers and runners were not happy either. What to do?
Crosby’s supermarket began selling water in cardboard cartons instead of plastic. And it put a faucet on the outside wall of the store so that thirsty people could refill their reusable bottles even when the market was closed. And now, after 2-1/2 years, the town has installed a water fountain near the train station.
So if you were afraid of fainting from dehydration after you took the train to Concord for the long hike to Walden Pond, fear no longer.
Water fountain as a work in progress, left. Finished fountain, right, offers three opportunities for quenching thirst: water to refill your reusable bottle, water to drink directly, water for your dog. All working well.
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