San Francisco International Airport has banned the sale of single-use plastic bottles of water starting Tuesday, offering “Hydration Stations” where travelers can fill reusable bottles instead.
Once the current inventory runs out, one-time use plastic water bottles will no longer be available at any of the airport’s convenience stores, restaurants or vending machines, according to CBS News, in an effort to reduce waste. The airport also has reduced the amount of single-use eating utensils and napkins.
“Last year, nearly four million plastic water bottles were sold at SFO,” the airport notes on its website. “Despite SFO's local efforts to recycle, many plastic bottles sold here do not make their way to the recycling bin. In fact, less than 25 percent of plastic bottles worldwide are recycled. A single plastic bottle takes anywhere from 450 – 1,000 years to biodegrade. A bottle put into landfill today will be with us until at least the year 2469!”
To replace the water bottles, the airport has installed about 100 hydration stations where travelers can fill or refill bottles with water. Water also will be available in reusable glass or aluminum containers.
The ban does not apply to soda, juice, or other flavored drinks sold in single-use plastic bottles.
Airport spokesman Doug Yakel told CBS, "our hope is that the industry continues to expand…There's really not a lot of good alternatives yet for teas, juices and sodas, but we're hoping that changes over time."
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