There’s a movement, both locally and internationally, to wean humans off our reliance on single-use plastics—things like plastic bags, straws, coffee stirrers, soda and water bottles, and most food packaging. But, as with many behavioural changes, that’s often easier said than done, particularly when alternatives aren’t always easy to fine.
The Town of Huntsville wants to do its part and, in some ways, already has. Staff are encouraged to bring refillable water bottles or a glass to work and some municipal offices have jugs of water available. In 2010, three bottle refilling stations were installed at the Canada Summit Centre (CSC). The Algonquin Theatre did away with plastic straws and stir sticks several months ago, replacing the latter with wood or bamboo ones.
But in some municipal facilities and operations it is more challenging for both staff and the public, noted Kari Lambe, the Town’s Director of Community Services when she reviewed the issue at Huntsville’s General Committee meeting on July 25. Town staff had been asked at a previous meeting to investigate alternate options to the use of water bottles in the Town’s facilities.
At the Civic Centre, public water fountains are available and water is allowed in the Algonquin Theatre during performances but not in glass containers. That means patrons must either bring their own refillable water bottles, or purchase a plastic water bottle from the bar. The facility also has to consider its performers, noted Lambe.
“What is the customer expecting when they come?” she said. “If they don’t want to purchase a soft drink or alcoholic beverage or juice, is water available… Also, different artists request different things, and some are specific as it relates to bottled water.”
The theatre’s annual revenue from bottled water is about $4,500. To add bottle refill stations like those at the CSC would cost about $5,813.40 with an annual maintenance cost of $150, said Lambe.
At the Canada Summit Centre, visitors using the amenities are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and use the refilling stations located in the Jack Bionda lobby, beside the Al Thorpe Room, and on the Centennial Pool deck. But there are two tenants in the building that sell bottled water, noted Lambe: Oliver’s Coffee and Motivations Fitness. Oliver’s Coffee also operates the concessions and vending machines in the facility. The staff report noted that “There is no provision within the current lease agreement prohibiting the sale of bottled beverages and straws and/or allowing the municipality to impose such restrictions.”
At Muskoka Heritage Place (MHP), the issue is complicated by the water available on the site—not all of the taps are for potable water. Staff and visitors have access to water dispensers in the main museum and the train station museum by donation. But the attraction does sell beverages to visitors as well: bottled water, single-serve tetra-pack juices, glass nostalgia bottles of pop, and cans of pop can be purchased at the Barn Snack Bar. Annual revenue from those sales is approximately $200.
“There are some hot days we’ve experienced where some of our customers come without any beverages so they are looking for the water, or we have to think of certain health needs where we could have someone who is diabetic and is looking for a bottle of juice or something like that,” said Lambe.
Finally, Town staff who work in the field don’t always have ready access to water. “The Operations and Protective Services Division staff are not at one specific location but rather are either on the road, at parks, or responding to emergencies and therefore do not have district water sources readily available to them,” noted the staff report. “The Madill building and yard does not have potable water. Therefore filling refillable water bottles during a shift is not an option. From an Occupational Health and Safety perspective there is a clear duty on employers to provide drinking water at work. The regulations state that an ‘adequate supply of wholesome drinking water’ must be provided and that it be readily available at suitable and clearly marked places. Therefore when needed to keep crews hydrated, personal-sized disposable water bottles are used.”
Staff provided two possible options in the report: their recommended option that “municipal staff and the public be encouraged to utilize refillable beverage containers and avoid the use of straws wherever possible,” or that “staff be directed to eliminate the sale of bottled water and all other plastic bottled individual serve beverages in all Town of Huntsville facilities and to install two bottle fill stations at the Civic Centre.”
Councillors voted on the former resolution—encouraging the use of refillable containers—with only Mayor Aitchison voting against the motion.
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Jim Sinclair says
Reading this item warms the cockles of my heart! Indeed! I am not noted for carrying placards in the name of the Green movement but this initiative by the Town of Huntsville hit home with my Geezer’s noggin!
I see photos of all the plastic – bottles and other junk, – washed up on beaches around the world and a wee light dawns, what the heck are we doing to this planet of ours?
Kudos to the Town Staff and Council for their initiative in this matter!
Rob Millman says
I would advise people to acquire gym workout bottles (aluminum? steel?). Reusing plastic bottles is not a safe option; as it is impossible to adequately clean them between uses. Sparkling water, although expensive, does come in recyclable glass bottles.