You're going to have to figure out a new way to hydrate at LAX.
In security queues at airports, there are signs asking passengers to get rid of their water bottles. Remember the TSA’s liquids rule? You either have to chug your water or add your contribution to the trash filled with such bottles. But at Los Angeles International Airport, now you won’t be able to get a replacement plastic bottle after you clear security.
Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) has banned single-use plastic bottles at the Los Angeles International Airport and the non-commercial Van Nuys Airport. All restaurants, vendors, lounges, and vending machines are required to eliminate plastic bottles, but they will still be available on flights.
“Pre-packaged single-use plastic bottles of all sizes containing non-carbonated and unflavored purified water, spring water, mineral water, artesian water, well water, tap water, and electrolyte-enhanced water are subject to the policy,” the statement explained. The airports have installed additional hydration stations for passengers to fill up their own bottles and sustainable alternatives like glass and aluminum bottles are available to buy.
The phasing out of single-use plastic bottles was approved in June 2019 and the two-year time period allowed businesses to use up their stock and switch contracts, the release said.
Recommended Fodor’s Video
This initiative is part of Los Angeles’ Green New Deal launched in 2019. The target is to make LA a zero carbon grid, zero waste, and zero emission city by 2050. The city also voted to ban sale and distribution of Styrofoam products for businesses with more than 26 employees.
Related: Fodor’s No List 2023
Los Angeles Airport is the six-busiest airport in the world. In 2019, LAWA served around 88 million people (the number dropped to 66 million in 2022). Mayor Karen Bass thanked LAWA for taking this step and said, “The climate crisis is a great challenge facing our city, and phasing out single-use plastic water bottles at LAWA facilities is an important step to reducing our environmental footprint and protecting the health and livelihood of all Angelenos.”
Related: Not Sleeping and Freaking Out About the World? Here’s What to Do
However, LAX is not the only airport focusing on reducing plastic waste.
In 2019, San Francisco International Airport became the first airport in the world to ban single-use plastic water bottles to achieve its zero waste goal. Two years later, the airport expanded its policy to include all beverages, including teas, sodas, and juices. With over 100 refilling stations, the airport encourages travelers to bring their own reusable bottles or buy glass or aluminum bottles from vendors.
Why is it becoming so important to phase out use-and-throw plastic products? According to the UNEP, every minute, one million plastic bottles are purchased in the world. Around 35% of all plastic is used in packaging and out of the seven billion tonns of plastic waste, less than 10% is recycled. So where does it all end up? Rivers, lakes, oceans, and land. The UNEP estimates that every minute a garbage truck worth of plastic is dumped into the ocean and there may be as much as 199 million tonns floating in the waters. Plastic takes up to 200 years to decompose and microplastics enter human bodies through food, water, and air.
Our ecosystems are choked, and eliminating plastic is a significant step to help the environment. So next time you’re taking off, bring your own reusable water bottle—whether you’re flying out of LA or somewhere else.
Related: 7 Foods That Are Really Bad for the Environment
This is where we should all take a stand against overreach. The first concern of Airports should be the safety and comfort of the flying public. Banning water bottles has nothing to do with safety and is contrary to comfort.
I live in and fly out of San Francisco and this truly is not an inconvenience. If you don't want to bring your own bottle, you can still buy water in almost every shop and restaurant - it's just in more eco- friendly glass or aluminum bottles. It's an easy way to contribute to less plastic pollution.
It ABSOLUTELY is a matter of safety- the safety of the planet, which is becoming overrun with plastic waste, altering ecosystems and having a negative impact on individual human health. No one is banning water bottles, they are banning single-use plastic bottles- you are welcome and encouraged to bring your own reusable bottle to fill as many times as you'd like.
Kudos to LAX!
If LA was interested in saving the planet why aren't they banning other drinks sold in plastic, ex soda pop, etc...