Editor,
In response to the letter "Let us decide," Squamish Chief, May28.
Patricia Carlin points out many of the solid waste issues we face as a community, and she raises some very important questions we should all ask of ourselves about what we consume, what we dispose of, what we re-use and what we recycle/downcycle.
New solutions to waste issues are happening all the time, for example, consumer battery collection in Squamish, electronics drop-off in Squamish for an expanding list of consumer electronics, and re-use it centers, which all help preserve the ecology of lands by diverting hazardous waste as well as save cities money in long term models.
We are blessed in Squamish with a superb supply of pure, tap water from our own natural source.
This water is tested daily for purity. Why buy bottled water from unknown sources? Bottled water is subject to infrequent inspection at best, often contains pollutants, and sits in plastic materials for months before being consumed.
Some of these plastics are known to leach toxic substances.
In response to the current phasing out bottled water issue with council, this applies only to municipal properties, and the community will retain their right to buy bottled water elsewhere.
The decision to support the supply of municipal water in municipal spaces is good for the whole community because it sends the right message about access to local water in municipal spaces at a very low cost, even if it is in a re-used plastic bottle.
Council approved a proposal to phase out the sale of bottled water in municipal facilities last week. Whistler has already adopted a similar bylaw.
This proposal for Squamish is one that council had decided to move on last year, and one in full support of the Canadian Federation of Municipalities. The province of Nova Scotia has decided to adopt a similar provincial approach in April of this year.
Squamish CAN, in support of the district's initiative, will be providing opportunities for the community to learn more about bottled water.
Be it groups or individuals, we all need to do our part; this will benefit the whole of Squamish.
Mark Shepherd
Squamish CAN Member
