Plastic Bottles

SAN FRANCISCO—The city of San Francisco is continuing its fight for the environment, as a city official prepares to welcome new legislation targeting plastic water bottles.

Reports state that Board of Supervisors President David Chiu may soon present a piece of legislation banning plastic water bottles in specific ways. According to early drafts, the ordinance would place a ban on bottles sold on municipal and government property. A few exemptions include San Francisco International Airport, sporting facilities and sporting events. Food trucks will no longer be allowed to sell plastic water bottles, and large public gatherings with more than 1,000 attendees will also see a similar ban; free public events would at times be exempted.

Previous efforts from Chiu saw the Supervisors President attempt to curb plastic water bottle usage in buildings. In early 2013, he introduced legislation requiring the installation of tap water filling stations in city buildings.

“Every 27 hours Americans consume enough bottled water to circle the entire equator with plastic bottles stacked end to end,” said Chiu in a statement on March 27. “We have to do better.”

By Alex Mazariegos