Diane Coston
Daytona Beach, FL - Daytona Beach has been bottling its award-winning water since 1999. A local grass-roots organization is asking the Daytona Beach City Commission to discontinue the process when the current supply is depleted. Suzanne Scheiber, the founder of Dream Green Volusia, spoke at their meeting earlier this week.
On the groups Facebook page, Scheiber posted a list of goals to help Daytona Beach reduce plastic pollution in the city.
1) We are asking for stopping the sell of bottled water by depleting the current inventory in the city’s possession. The number of bottles in current inventory are contained in the packets.
2) Place a minimum of four water refill stations strategically through out the city, with the city and sponsors stepping up to pay. These are different than water fountains and allow for reusable bottles to be filled cutting down on plastic bottle pollution.
3) A local vendor will present an option for reusable items the city can place their logo on as green alternatives for promotion.
4) The adopt-a drain program is to prevent trash as well as protecting from debris washing down drains carrying pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizer run off. The goal is to keep it out of the canals, rivers, and the ocean.
5) For the Chamber and the City to support a restaurant and business recognition program promoting green businesses in the community.
6) Finally, for the Commission to sign a resolution seeking to restore Home Rule at State level concerning the preemptive plastic laws passed in 2008 and sending this to League of Cities.
Scheiber said that the city is not making money on the sale of bottled water. The goal is to move Daytona Beach to a green initiative and move towards green tourism.
