Here’s an idea: Research gathering from our local Costco store indicates there are 73,872 plastic water bottles sold each week. They also sell individual bottles in a vending machine for 25 cents. If there were a plastic bottle tax of $1 per bottle, would consumers curb their consumption? It has to be enough to hurt. That would make the cost about $45 per case.
At the same time, the warehouse store could stock refillable jugs with a water spigot AND a QR code and URL for a local map where water bottles can be refilled affordably. Other items for purchase in this row could be Britta water pitchers and filters. Though still made out of plastic, one extended life filter replaces 900 single use bottles, plus bottled water requires up to 2,000 times the energy vs that used to produce tap water used in a Britta. There could also be a large display of eco-friendly refillable sports bottles. We have noticed that most places- restaurants, event venues, public and private businesses- do not have an issue with people bring their own water bottle, though in some incidences you may need to bring it in empty.
