“I’m proud of the direction City Council is taking . …Other cities, institutions and businesses have taken action to limit plastic waste and it’s time for us to take a step and do our part.” – St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik
News from the City of St. Catharines in Niagara, Ontario
Posted July 11th, 2018 on Niagara At Large
Niagara, Ontario – In another move to protect the environment for future generations, the City of St. Catharines will no longer sell water in plastic bottles at City arenas, community centres and other City facilities.
At Monday night’s (July 9th, 2018) City Council meeting, Council voted in favour of removing water sold in plastic water bottles from vending machines and concessions at most City facilities.
Drinking water is always available free of charge at water fountains and water filling stations at City facilities. As part of this plan, the City will also install more water filling stations at municipal facilities.
“I’m proud of the direction City Council is taking because this small change locally is something we can do to have a big impact,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “Other cities, institutions and businesses have taken action to limit plastic waste and its time for us to take a step and do our part. This is part of our strategic plan and our commitment to the Global Covenant of Mayors for environmental sustainability.”
St. Catharines joins a growing number of communities, including Niagara Falls, London, Burlington and Toronto, that have removed water sold in plastic bottles from municipal facilities. It is estimated that more than half of the three billion plastic beverage bottles sold annually in Ontario end up in landfills or as litter in beaches, parks and lakes.
Phil Cristi, the City’s director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, said the City’s plastic bottle plan not only protects the environment and helps to reduce pollution, it will also highlight access to free drinking water at City facilities.
“Our residents are always looking for healthy options,” said Cristi. “Our drinking water in St. Catharines is a free and healthy choice. Access to free water at City facilities supports our goal to be an affordable city for everyone.”
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