BRIAN MACQUARRIE presented a remarkably balanced article on the new bottled water ban at the University of Vermont (“At Vt. school, no admission for bottled water,” Page A1, Feb. 15). The article also discussed the larger underlying issue — selling water in plastic bottles.
As a 7-Eleven owner, I sell bottled water, a lot of it, to people heading to the gym or to work, or to folks who simply prefer to buy and drink their water bottled. It is convenient and safe, but most important, it is their choice.
Comments
I read with interest the letter from Dennis Lane about banning bottled water. For one there is a big difference between banning bottled water and banning ice cream. There is no litter problem with ice cream containers but there is with empty bottled water bottles. The ban on littering has been in effect for ages but the problem is that no one is ever around to catch the litterers. My solution has been to install a water filter in my home and buy one bottle of bottled water and reuse the bottle using my filtered water. The money I saved by doing this more than offset the cost of the filter. When a water bottle has completed it life cycle, I buy another and use it. This really limits my use of bottled water to about 4-5 per year. The problem is that no onel wants to be inconveniece in the slightest but I have to say it is no real inconvenience to refill a bottle from my filter. Empty water bottles are a big problem and something needs to be done since the litter laws are not working. of course, the letter writer has a vested interest in making sure that bottled water stays for sale since he is making money off it. Remember that bottled water is a total markup and the bottle makes up for most of the cost. Also, eco-friendly bottles are still polutting our land fills. Folks need to stop thinking just of their own self interest and start thining what's good for society as a whole.
A ban is a ban. It is a restriction of freedom and choice, and would eliminate a safe, healthy, and yes...profitable alternative from this local business.
So its only water bottles that are littered? Funny, I see Dunkin donuts cups everywhere so why not ban coffee also? Banning a product because of littering makes no sense. Should we ban cars to stop drunk driving? No, we create (and hopefully) enforce laws with penalties to discourage the practice itself.
Honest to god Dennis, maybe you should ban the Boston GlobTheron your store. Let's see how those birds on Morrisey Boulevathe like that. Makes ya sick!
Bottled water at least does not contribute to the obesity epidemic. Other drinks sold in containers are no less polluting, and most also pack extra calories.