On Earth Day 2024, South Lake Tahoe’s citywide ban on “single-use plastic water bottle” sales went into effect. This applies to single-use plastic containers of less than one gallon containing non-sparkling, unflavored drinking water.
Why, water bottles? According to the League to Save Lake Tahoe, single-use plastic bottles are one of the top five types of litter in the Tahoe Basin. With some of the best tap water in the world, people are being urged to “Drink Tahoe Tap.” Water stations for free refills can be found at https://takecaretahoe.org/water-stations/, and 27 and 18-ounce klean kanteen reusable bottles are available for purchase around the lake.
Plastics, including Polystyrene, damage Lake Tahoe’s sensitive natural habitat and scenic beauty. These materials are not biodegradable, nearly impossible to recycle, and persist for many years in the environment by disintegrating into smaller plastic particles.
Single-use water bottles are still available for sale in Nevada and outside the city limits, but other jurisdictions are starting to follow suit. In January, the Truckee Town Council approved an ordinance banning bottles and paper cartons. That ban goes into effect on Earth Day, April 22, 2025.
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