The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) has taken one more step towards their goal of achieving zero waste.
This summer, 12 new water bottle-filling stations will be installed throughout the community, in a combined effort to help to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic, promote Whistler's tap water and enhance the resort's parks.
"The new water bottle-filling stations are a fantastic step forward in helping us all disrupt our single use habits, while enjoying Whistler's excellent tap water," said Whistler Mayor Jack Crompton in a release.
"Now, simply by bringing a reusable water bottle to the village or Whistler's parks, you can stay refreshed without producing plastic waste."
The new stations will feature more traditional water fountain spouts as well as a tap for filling reusable water bottles.
The water bottle-filling fountains can be found at Whistler Olympic Plaza, Rebagliati Park, Village Square, near the Whistler Golf Course, Whistler Fitzsimmons Bike Park, Rainbow Park, Meadow Park, Lost Lake Park, Lakeside Park, and Bayly Park.
The RMOW also anticipates more water bottle-filling stations will be installed in other locations next year, stated the release.
As more reusable water bottles will begin popping up in Whistler parks, Whistler still has a long way to go to reach its zero waste goals: In 2018, approximately 36,000 metric tonnes of waste was generated in Whistler, including organics, recycling and landfill waste.
Of that, approximately 100 metric tonnes of plastic, containers and film was recycled at the Whistler Transfer Station-up from 98 metric tonnes in 2016. ("It is important to remember that plastics don't weigh very much compared to other recyclables such as cardboard or organics," added the RMOW in the release).
View a map of water stations that are currently up and running, as well as those slated for installation, at whistler.ca/drinkingwater. For more information on Whistler's drinking water, view drinking water test results at on Vancouver Coastal Health's website, or Whistler's Annual Drinking Water report at whistler.ca/drinkingwater.
