TORONTO - to ban the sale of plastic water bottles on all municipal premises from City Hall to golf courses by 2011.
Stuart Green, spokesman for Toronto Mayor David Miller, said the plastic-water-bottle ban, along with other measures, is all part of the city's plan to divert 70 per cent of Toronto's waste from the dump by 2010.
He added in conjunction with the plastic-water-bottle ban on municipal premises the city would upgrade drinking fountains to ensure Torontonians access to clean as safe drinking water.
Council also agreed Tuesday to a series of packaging-reduction bylaws.
They include:
- A five-cent charge for every plastic bag customers use from a grocery or retail store starting in June;
- A ban on biodegradable and compostable plastic bags.
- A ban on retail bags with rope handles or metal grommets by the end of next year.
- A request the retailers also provide shoppers with alternatives to having the pay for a plastic bag, whether by providing cardboard boxes or paper sacks for shoppers.
According to the Polaris Institute 17 municipalities from 5 provinces have banned the bottle, while another 45 municipalities are planning restrictions on bottled water.
From: canada.com
