NY Might Ban Plastic Water Bottles

Advocates in New York have been trying for years to put a five-cent deposit on plastic water bottles to encourage recycling. Now, despite having been unable to muster the political support to take that step, lawmakers will consider banning them outright, at least at the state capital.

The bill would prevent the state government from purchasing individual plastic water bottles. New York would be the first state to take that step, though several California cities have already.

For a state that sits on some world renowned water resources -- the pristine Catskill Mountain reservoirs that supply New York City, and the well-known Saratoga Springs supplies, for instance -- accepting water from the tap ought to be an easy trade off. Now, about that five-cent deposit -- for the rest of the populace that won't immediately follow the lead of their elected representatives.

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