Single-Use Bottle Reduction
Ordinance
Single-use beverage bottles make up a large percentage of waste and litter, creating an environmental threat to our region. The Town of Truckee is taking steps to reduce the proliferation of disposable items such as single-use water bottles in our community and encourage a shift to reuse.
Proposed Ordinance
The Town Council will consider a ban on the sale of water in single-use plastic bottles and paper cartons under a gallon in volume in January 2024. The proposed ban would apply only to non-sparkling, unflavored water.
The proposed ordinance will be introduced at the January 9, 2024 Town Council meeting. This meeting is scheduled to begin at 5:00pm in the Town Council Chambers at Town Hall, 10183 Truckee Airport Road. A link to the meeting agenda with information about how to submit public content will be posted here by Thursday, January 4, 2024.
The proposed ordinance is part of a series of single-use water bottle policy recommendations listed below that staff presented to, and were approved by, Town Council on May 23, 2023:
- Develop a comprehensive outreach and incentive program to support a reduction in use of single-use bottles, promote a shift to reusable water bottles, and incentivize installation of additional refill stations in the community
- Prohibit the sale and commercial distribution of water packaged in single-use plastic bottles or paper cartons less than one gallon in volume
- Include exemptions for emergencies, social services, healthcare, and other situations that may impact health and safety
- Report back to Council at least one year after the effective date of implementation of the ordinance and outreach campaign, including impacts on residents and businesses
- Investigate options to expand the ordinance to include other beverages in single-use plastic packaging and provide recommendations to Council for future consideration.
To read the full May 23, 2023 staff report, click here.
Filling Station Grant Program
In anticipation of a potential single-use water bottle ban, staff have developed a Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program (approved by council Nov 14th, 2023). The goal is to ensure that water bottle filling stations are in place well before an adopted ban would take effect, and that the Truckee community is prepared for the transition.
Background
The above recommendations for reducing single-use plastic water bottle use were developed using input collected via a community survey, a stakeholder advisory group, and a community workshop.
Community Survey
A community survey for residents, visitors, and businesses in Truckee was available online from February 3-20, 2023. The survey was shared online through Keep Truckee Green and Town of Truckee outreach channels, including e-blasts and social media, as well as through partner agencies including Truckee Chamber, Truckee Downtown Merchants Association, and Visit Truckee-Tahoe. Staff also conducted in-person intercept surveys outside Mi Pueblito Market on February 17, where many responses collected were in Spanish. In addition, staff conducted direct phone calls and email outreach to businesses, including grocers and other retail stores, to receive business responses.
Another survey was conducted in November 2023 to get more detailed analysis on plastic water bottle usage among residents. Intercept surveys were conducted in front of Raley’s O-N-E Market, Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, Mi Pueblito Market, and Safeway. Surveys were also distributed through Sierra Community House.
Workshop
Staff hosted an in-person community workshop on February 8, 2023, at the Community Rec Center. The workshop was advertised along with the survey through Keep Truckee Green, the Town, Truckee Chamber, TDMA, and Visit Truckee-Tahoe’s website and social media outreach channels. Attendees heard a brief presentation on the community engagement process and considerations for policies and actions, and then provided feedback on a series of prompts. Most of the 13 attendees were Truckee High School students involved in the Envirolution Club.
Community Stakeholder Group
Staff also convened a group of community stakeholders to provide additional opportunities for input from business representatives and other key local stakeholders. This group was convened twice, on January 26 and March 8, 2023. Town staff provided a research brief in advance of each meeting to prepare members for the topic of discussion. Members discussed potential impacts on their sector of operations, concerns, and provided feedback on potential policy options. Stakeholders included representatives from local businesses, special events, healthcare, emergency operations, and education.
Filling Station Grant Program
Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program Application Now Open!
Applications will be continuously accepted on a first-come first-served, rolling basis. Grants will be awarded until program funding is exhausted.
The Town of Truckee is providing grants to reimburse 50% of a water filling station purchase price (up to $2500 per unit) with a maximum of 5 units per applicant.
The Town of Truckee Water Bottle Filling Station Grant Program was created to provide the community with access to safe and reliable tap water to refill reusable water bottles, reducing the use of disposable water bottles and associated waste and litter.
Who Can Apply? You may be eligible for funds if you:
- Are located within the Truckee town limits.
- Are a public facility (city facility, school, community center, parks, recreation areas, etc.) or a private facility/business providing free, unrestricted public access to the filling station during standard business hours.
- Meet criteria and fulfill application requirements.
How to Apply:
There are three components to each application: the Grant request application, the liability waiver, and a federal W-9 tax form. Applicants must submit a separate grant request application per station they would like to be reimbursed for, but only need to submit one liability waiver and W-9 form. The link to the “Refill-Station-Grant-Program-Guidelines” form provides more information about the grant program and criteria. Information on where to submit the application can be found on the application form.
For more information, contact the Town of Truckee Keep Truckee Green team via: Sustainability@TownofTruckee.com(or) (530) 582-5329