Consider: Less than 25% of the 50 billion plastic bottles used each year in the U.S. are recycled.
The demand for recycled plastic has dropped: Lower oil costs mean manufacturers can buy virgin plastic cheaper than recycled plastics.
In light of all this, Sustainable Tallahassee wants to reduce the use of throw-away plastic bottles.
Thus, the 50,000-plus festival goers would have no choice but to purchase unsustainable bottled water.
Dave researched several options then decided to make the Water Wagon himself.
To our knowledge there are no other cities in Florida, and only a few other cities in the entire country, that have a municipality-owned mobile water wagon.
For giving our community this plastic-reducing “gift”, the Water Wagon was awarded a 2017 “Energy Innovator” award by ReThink Energy Florida (http://www.rethinkenergyflorida.org/).
Every step we take as individuals and as a community to reduce the demand for single-use plastics is a step forward for sustainability.
Thanks to Dave Roberts and Paul Hurst, the Water Wagon is an important acknowledgment of what can be accomplished locally.
So, bring your refillable water bottle to the next city sponsored event and let’s Take Back the Tap.