As representatives of Santa Barbara’s Latino business community, we support policies that strengthen the local economy while protecting our environment and everything that makes the Central Coast a vibrant place to live. We live, work, and raise families here. For that reason, we are concerned that a newly proposed ordinance to ban 8-ounce plastic water bottles could lead to unintended consequences for public health and small businesses without addressing the root causes of plastic waste.
Small and minority business owners own convenience stores, restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores across Santa Barbara. For many of them, this burden will impact day-to-day operations. Food vendors, hospitality businesses, and event operators rely on small bottled water as a low-cost, high-demand product — particularly for tourists, outdoor workers, and customers on the go. Eliminating this option forces businesses to stock larger bottles that leave consumers with fewer options for convenient, potable water when it is needed most. That, in turn, creates even more plastic waste.
Though not the most familiar drink size to many customers, smaller water bottles serve an essential role across Santa Barbara’s public health and service systems. Eight-ounce bottles are frequently used in hospitals, clinics, senior centers, assisted living facilities, at cooling stations during heat events, and during routine medical procedures such as blood draws…