Concord Bottle Ban Draws National Attention
Concord Bottle Ban Draws National Attention
Concord, MA became the first town in America to ban the sale of single serving bottled water. BeCause Water was thrilled to cover an issue in our own state where citizens were fighting to change the law. By now, the Concord Bottle Ban has made national news as the debate continues to rage: Is the decision to ban plastic water bottles a step to protect the environment, or a challenge to personal freedoms?
Mixed Response
As expected, people on both sides of the plastic bottle ban have a lot to say. Supporters of the ban, spearheaded by an 84 year old grandmother and activist, believe that the ban is environmentally responsible and will lead to less trash in landfills.
Not everyone is convinced that Concord’s ban on plastic bottles will yield positive effects. While all agree that cutting down on plastic waste is a good goal, many are not convinced that a ban on plastic bottle sales will make a difference. Many worry that the plastic bottle ban will lead to more changes that limit personal freedom in the name of environmentalism.
In the Press
Concord’s ban on plastic water bottles is slated to come into law January 1st, 2013, though the controversial bill is still facing dissent. Attorney General Martha Coakley, who approved the language of the bill, will undoubtedly be judged on how the bill functions once put into law. There has been a mixed response to the bill within Massachusetts: Boston Magazine praised the intent of the bill while the Boston Globe questioned the bill’s effect on personal choice.
Many publications (and citizens) are still undecided about the bill. The LA Times praises the goal of reducing plastic waste in landfills, but sees problems in the town’s approach of completely banning plastic water bottles. Although the ban begins in less than a month, the debate on this bill is far from over.
Moving Forward
As Concord prepares for the future, we have already seen the effects of the bottle ban in other cities. Residents of Brookline, MA have already convened to ban styrofoam serving containers starting in December, 2013. It seems it is only a matter of time before more Massachusetts communities take similar action.
The Concord Bottle Ban has become big news in America and has made environmental protection in Massachusetts a national debate. When January 1st comes, Concord will be the only city in the United States where you cannot purchase a bottle of water.
