Town is first to ban sale of plastic water bottles

CONCORD, Mass.?? Concord is the first town in the nation where the sale of plastic water bottles is prohibited.

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A new year brings a controversial new law into effect in Concord: no one can sell single-serving plastic water bottles.

?I think Concord, you know, they have a good point about the plastic. I really do and I think other towns might follow,? one woman said.

The new law is the talk of the town.

?I thought it was a joke a first but then didn't realize it was going to put in effect and then -- it?s so stupid that we can't buy water, it?s water, like come on,? said Gabe Jackson.

The ban comes after an April town meeting vote that makes Concord the first in the nation to ban the sale of plastic water bottles.

?You don't want to be known for something that?s really that bad and it's kind of dumb,? said Camille Galejs.

Supporters say it will force people to use tap water and reduce the number of plastic bottles in landfills.

Some businesses have been against it from the beginning. They've been busy trying to clear their shelves of the bottles.

?Where I work we sell bottled water and we just bought like 20 more cases so it?s just going to be kind of sitting there. We?re going to have to get rid of it,? said Jenny Fioretti.

At a Concord supermarket that cleared the shelves of the plastic bottles, they?ve set up a water dispenser where you can come with your container and fill up -- but some are already thinking about ways around the ban.

?Towns are close enough that people can walk two minutes and go get it from Acton or Bedford. It doesn't really help I don't think,? Fioretti said.

Businesses are finding a way around the ban by selling 20-ounce plastic water bottles. The ban only covers 16 ounces or less.

If you violate the ban, you will be fined $50.

Source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/50358034/ns/us_news-environment/

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