Behind the ban

Posted May 17, 2007 in [Water]

The Toronto Star, May 12, 2007 - The directors of the Unitarian Congregation of Niagara voted to ban all bottled water in plastic non-biodegradable, non-refillable bottles from use at all church functions.

Citing concerns with the privatization of water, protection of tap water and the environmental impact, the ban supports the seventh principle of the Unitarian faith: to respect the interdependent web of all existence, acknowledging that human beings are only one part of the universe.

The move is part of a growing trend. Last summer, the United Church of Canada asked members to stop buying bottled water. In January, St. Catharines city council committed to eliminating "all non-essential bottled water from municipal offices and sponsored committee meetings." And environmentalist David Suzuki insists on drinking tap water on speaking tours, citing disgust with Canadians paying more for bottled water than gasoline.