Wed, August 20, 2008
Thames Valley to examine vending deals
By KELLY PEDRO

The days of selling bottled water at public schools in the Thames Valley system may be numbered.

Following a move Monday by city council to ban the sale of bottled water at municipal facilities, Thames Valley trustees will consider their own ban this fall, board chairperson Peggy Sattler said yesterday.

"When there is a free, safe source of municipal water for students, you have to look at whether we should be promoting the sale of plastic bottled water," she said.

"Public sector organizations have to show leadership on this issue."

The board had decided in June to look at the issue after the Waterloo Region district school board approved a ban, but Sattler said London's decision Monday night will have an impact with trustees, too.

The board will look at its vending contracts, which already ban pop from vending machines in favour of juice and water, before making any moves, Sattler said.

The contracts expire next year, but there are still things the board could do to reduce the use of bottled water, such as provide municipal water and glasses at public meetings held on school properties, she said.

Trustees already have city tap water and glasses at board meetings.

The issue hasn't been raised among trustees in the London District Catholic school board, said chairperson John Ferris.

"Until somebody raises it, we probably won't deal with it," Ferris said, adding it isn't a priority since schools emphasize recycling.

Meanwhile, as the Council of Canadians praised the city's ban, industry groups called it a disappointment.

"This decision, in our view, amounts to political green-washing and political symbolism instead of real, meaningful environmental progress," said John Challinor, director of corporate affairs of Nestle Waters Canada.

Elizabeth Griswold, executive director of the Canadian Bottled Water Association, said latest statistics don't show a decrease in bottled water sales.

The Council of Canadians expects that to change.

"There is a huge global movement to take back the tap," said Cory Morningstar, president of the London chapter. "We have no doubt that other cities and citizens will follow."

The fact that London's ban made national headlines is proof London is becoming a national leader in environmental issues among municipalities, said Coun. Bill Armstrong.

"This (bottled water) will go the way of pesticides in Canada. It started in a few communities and grew."

London joins eight other municipalities and school boards that have banned the sale of bottled water. Ten others are still considering bans.

The city's ban will start Sept. 1 at city hall, Market Tower and the J. Allyn Taylor building and eventually encompass other city-owned buildings and facilities once there's an adequate supply of water fountains.