Hamilton to explore ban on selling single-use plastic water bottles in city facilities

Staff at the city are exploring a ban on selling single-use plastic water bottles in municipal buildings in order to reduce Hamilton’s waste stream. 

The suggestion was made by Councillor John-Paul Danko as part of a strategy to reduce one-time-use plastic items in the city, reported the Hamilton Spectator. 

Public works staff will investigate a potential ban on the sale of plastic water bottles at @cityofhamilton facilities as a way to reduce #HamOnt’s waste stream @TeviahMoro reports https://t.co/L9bp4OS6Vp

— Hamilton Spectator (@TheSpec) August 27, 2020

Plans are already in place to look at installing a water filling station at city-owned King’s Forest golf course. The gold club reportedly sold about 1,600 bottles of water last year. 

As part of the single-use plastics plan, the city has looked at installing more water filling stations at arenas and other municipal buildings. 

The city is also considering implementing additional charges or incentives to reduce the purchase of single-use drink containers, such as coffee cups, in city buildings. Another suggestion is for event organizers to use city-approved compostable items. 

City staff expect to propose a draft plastic waste strategy to the public works committee in October. 

Though COVID-19 has put a pause to some parts of the initial plan, the changes that are ultimately made would be first steps to reduce Hamilton’s waste stream. 

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• garbage
• Hamilton
• HamOnt
• recycle
• single-use plastic
• waste
• water
• water bottles