Plastic is now persona non grata at LAX.
Over the last few decades, the world has taken a massive stand against single-use plastics. Global efforts to reduce plastic waste have extended from vigorous recycling to the phasing out of plastic straws. And now, Los Angeles International Airport is joining the fight.
The transportation hub has chosen to ban the sale of plastic water bottles on its premises, instead offering travelers H2O in recyclable aluminum or glass containers.
“We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles that can be filled at various water stations throughout our terminals. Thank you for helping us reduce plastic waste as we move towards zero waste,” read a tweet from the airport’s official account.
The proposal was first suggested in 2021, with a two-year phase-out initiative put into effect that would allow airport businesses to use up inventories of plastic water bottles and modify purchasing contracts.
The new policy applies to 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.
The ban, however, does not include bottled water served on board a flight.