Community & Labour Action

Committee supports ban after harsh debate (London, Ontario)

Jenni Dunning, London Free Press, August 12, 2008 - London is one step closer to banning the sale of bottled water on city-owned property.

The environment and transportation committee passed a recommendation for a ban at a meeting last night where some residents said the city should set a high environmental bar for itself.

Others at the meeting said a ban on those sales robs Londoners of a healthy beverage.

The bottled water debate raged on last night with about 25 people in attendance -- some jeering each other.

"We can't boo while Nestle's talking, can we?" said one man.

Jay Stanford, director of the city's environment and solid waste programs, gave a presentation about gradually phasing out the sale of plastic water bottles in city buildings, vending machines and some arenas.

Teresa Rutten of Talbot Street brought large empty water bottles to the meeting and a small plastic basin full of single-use bottles for effect.

"We're transitioning at a very frightening rate to bottled water from municipal water," she said, her voice quivering. "Why are we not raising the bar and becoming a zero-waste culture?"

She called the elimination of bottles water and increased use of tap water an "easy option." But there should be more awareness of the benefits of tap water, such as its cost- effectiveness, she added.

The city's tap water costs about one-eighth of a cent per litre compared to a range of 30 cents to $4 for bottled water, according to city officials.

Londoners shouldn't have to pay for the cost of cleaning up and recycling thrown-away, single-use plastic bottles, Rutten added.

But there's a danger to banning the sale of bottled water, industry spokespeople said.

Representatives of Refreshments Canada and Nestle Waters Canada told the committee a ban would have no effect.

Nestle Waters Canada -- which produces and distributes 35 per cent of the bottled water sold in Canada -- issued a news release yesterday, opposing the proposed ban.

Instead, the company suggested the city should develop a plastic bottle recycling program with Nestle to encourage healthy water drinking and reduce the number of bottles bound for the landfill.

Consumers are trying to drink healthier, so if a bottled water ban passes, council should also ban the sale of all other bottled drinks, said Gail Cosman of Nestle.

That, she said, would help people avoid buying less healthy beverages when bottled water's not available.

That was a concern for Coun. Stephen Orser.

"I have a feeling they're (customers) going to go to the other products," he said.

BOTTLED WATER 101

The issue: City hall is considering phasing out the sale of bottled water at city facilities and improving access to tap water through the use of water fountains with long spigots to fill reusable bottles.

Public input: A meeting of city council's environment and transportation committee was held last night to gather input.

Supporters say: Tap water is more vigorously tested than bottled water, isn't subjected to risks associated with some plastic bottling and causes much less environmental harm than bottled water that's trucked to London and too often ends with empty bottles in the landfill.

Opponents say: Bottled water removes chemicals that produce odours and flavours that some dislike, is a healthy alternative to sweetened drinks and is valued by consumers for its convenience.

Who's involved?: Environmentalists, citizens' groups such as the Council of Canadians and the bottled water industry will speak tonight.

How we got here: In December, council directed staff to consider the viability of eliminating the sale of bottled water at city facilities. Staff presented a proposal in May to phase out sales as tap water is made available through fountains.

What's happened: A city committee has recommended the ban. The matter goes to council Monday.