The San Luis Obispo City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to impose bans on certain uses of plastic water bottles and straws.
One ban would prohibit the sale and distribution of single-use plastic bottles on city property and at city events, like Farmers’ Market and concerts in Mission Plaza. The other ordinance would require customers inside bars and restaurants to ask for a single-use straw if they want one; otherwise they would not receive a straw.
SLO’s plastic bottle ban will only apply to bottles less than 21 ounces in size. Rather than continuing to allow the distribution of those plastic bottles at public events, the city plans to place water bottle filling stations at various locations throughout town.
The plastic bottle ordinance mirrors a policy adopted by San Francisco, which bans the sale and distribution of single-use plastic bottles that are 21 ounces or less on city property. San Luis Obispo officials say both of the ordinances are congruent with SLO’s major city goal of “climate action.”
A final reading of the two ordinances will appear on an upcoming council agenda. If formally adopted, the bans will take effect on March 1.
It is hard to imagine a more short sighted vote than banning access to plastic water bottles in city parks on a day when the temperatures rose to 108 degrees. Were Mayor Harmon, and Council members Christianson, Rivoire, Gomez and Pease thinking at all about the old, the infirmed, or the young subject to collapsing of heat stroke at one of the many gatherings held at Santa Rosa, Mitchel, Meadow or Laguna Lake parks; let alone at the city’s Base Ball stadium. Doubt any of the five will make the connection, or take responsibility, when someone next summer dies for lack of access to drinking water. Mature reflection is needed on our City Council here in San Luis. So far, mature reflection appears to be lacking.