should more national parks ban disposable water bottles?
TRANSCRIPT
Should More National Parks Ban Disposable
Water Bottles?
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
There’s so much bottle water waste in National Parks.
At their height of popularity, disposable water bottle waste made up a whopping 20% of all waste generated by the Grand Canyon’s visitors on the South Rim.
Not only is that a huge portion of needless waste, but it’s all plastic, something that takes decades to break down naturally. Understandably, the Grand Canyon National Park banned the sale of all disposable water bottles back in 2012, following a wave of over 20 national parks across the country that have been banning disposable water bottles since 2011.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
International Bottled Water Association
The International Bottled Water Association, a representative group fighting for over 200 bottling companies, has been taking steps to lift every national park water bottle ban in the country, with the association’s vice president, Chris Hogan, claiming, “This is a prominent, misleading attack on bottled water that has no justification.”
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
Zion National ParkZion National Park in Utah sees over 2.7 million visitors annually, and they were one of the first national parks to ban the sales of water bottles, instead offering guests the opportunity to buy a refillable water bottle that could be filled, for free, at one of many water stations along the park’s trails.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
Plastic Waste vs. Unhealthy Beverages“It’s misleading to say [the ban] pushes people to drink less healthy beverages—in reality they still get free water, and they can get a bottle just as cheap as most bottled waters,” says Alyssa Baltrus, a spokesperson for the park. The park estimates that it eliminates over 5,000 pounds of plastic waste annually thanks to the ban.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
New Results for the Bottling Industry
Despite the results seen at Zion National Park, the National Park Service acknowledges the concerns of the bottling industry.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
Is it really about the loss of money?
Maybe a blanket ban isn’t the option, but one thing is for certain: the IBWA stands to lose money if water bottles are banned at national parks, regardless of how these bans would impact visitors or the environment.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
Ethics, Water & Global Warming
With bottled water companies under fire for their ethics, the quality of their water, and their contributions to global warming, these bans still inhabit a grey area that needs to be clarified.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
Do you really care if they ban bottled waters at national park?
Where do you stand on the issues? Let us know in the comments section below, and call or click today for more information on trip planning, travel, local events, lodging, and more.
223,217,31Grand Canyon National Geographic Visitor Center450 State Route 64 Grand Canyon, AZ, 86023Phone: 928-638-2468
explorethecanyon.com
What are you waiting for; come to the Grand Canyon!
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Phone: (928) 638-2468
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