A group of left-leaning politicians in New York City are working on legislation that would prohibit city agencies from purchasing water in single-use plastic bottles. Councilman Erik Bottcher and four other Democrats are behind the bill, which is co-sponsored by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. The proposed legislation would prevent the city from buying individual plastic water bottles containing less than a gallon, unless it is for a public health emergency situation. The goal of the bill is to encourage city workers to drink tap water, which comes from the Catskills Mountains and is considered to be among the best in the world.
Bottcher highlighted the quality of New York City tap water and pointed out that it is sometimes sold in stores, while many residents still opt for bottled water from places like Fiji. He believes that city workers should set an example for the rest of the population by choosing tap water over single-use plastic bottles. Currently, the city purchases more than a million disposable plastic water bottles annually for its agencies, contributing to the significant amount of plastic waste generated by New Yorkers each year.
During a rally at City Hall, Williams and Bottcher expressed hope that the bill would pave the way for a potential citywide ban on single-use plastic water bottles. Williams emphasized the need to break the cycle of normalizing harmful habits and stressed the importance of making changes to protect the environment. While acknowledging the need to address the issue of single-use plastics, some critics, like Councilwoman Joann Ariola, argue that the bill represents government overreach and infringes on individuals’ right to choose.
Ariola raised concerns about the impact of the legislation on workers in the water delivery and bottling industries, who could potentially lose their jobs if the city shifts to relying solely on tap water. She warned that limiting the choices available to city workers could have unintended consequences that need to be carefully considered. Despite the concerns raised by critics, the bill has received some support within the city government. A representative for Mayor Eric Adams stated that the office will review the legislation but already encourages city workers to lead by example and bring reusable water bottles to work. The debate surrounding the proposed ban reflects broader discussions about sustainability, consumer choice, and environmental protection in New York City.
