The park claims that the waste associated with disposable bottles comprises an estimated 20% of the park’s overall waste stream and 30% of the park’s recyclables. But it seems to think that this is all bottled water, while ignoring other packaged drinks. It has installed ten free water stations throughout the park to allow visitors to fill reusable water bottles.
Providing free water through water stations is a great idea and consumers should have the choice as to how they achieve hydration.
But limiting consumer choice around bottled water on environmental grounds while still allowing the carrying and sale of other drinks is hardly the solution to the park’s environmental concerns.
Consumers will arrive with their family-sized pack of cola, or buy plastic-packaged drinks in the park. They’ll set off to enjoy the spectacle. They’ll become thirsty. They’ll drink the cola. Then they’ll need more hydration as they travel through the breathtaking landscape, so they’ll refill the bottle with water from a water station. Then, when they’ve drunk the water – if they’re the same careless, irresponsible tourist that used to discard the empty water bottles – they’ll ditch the empty cola bottle in the landscape.
This ban misses the point about consumer behaviour. What is really needed is consumer education – and even legislation – on recycling and responsible environmental behaviour. Why are there no recycling facilities next to the water stations when CSDs are still bought in the park? Bottled water is not the problem.
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