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Twin City Restaurants Ban Bottled Water Mayors join multi-city action to ''Think Outside the Bottle'' For immediate release: April 9, 2008 MINNEAPOLIS — Leading restaurateurs, chefs and city officials announced plans today at The Corner Table Restaurant to reduce bottled water use and instead promote the use of Minneapolis and St. Paul’s high-quality tap water. The move is part of a nationwide effort, dubbed “Think Outside the Bottle,” that exposes the environmental and social impacts of bottled water. “Water is more than just something we pour in a glass,” said Danny Schwartzman, owner of Common Roots Cafe. “Water is central to all the food we serve at Common Roots. And like everything we do, we have to think about the impact of the decisions we make. By serving high quality Minneapolis tap water instead of bottled, we save our patrons money and help the environment.” Bottled water, now a $15 billion industry, began its boom when it appeared on the menus of high-end restaurants. The restaurant industry is now turning back the clock in the Twin Cities, following the example of prominent restaurateurs like Mario Batali (Del Posto) and Alice Waters (Chez Panisse). “The city supports local businesses that are modeling best practices — such as removing bottled water from their menus,” said Cara Letofsky, Policy Aide for Mayor Rybak of Minneapolis. “Ending the use of bottled water sends the message that our city’s tap water is world class. It’s now the city’s turn to think outside the bottle.” In Minneapolis, Mayor Rybak has endorsed the Think Outside the Bottle campaign and reduced spending on bottled water contracts. Cities across the country are cancelling bottled water contracts to save taxpayer money and reduce waste. Their efforts also counter the bottled water marketing that has eroded confidence in public water systems, even though tap is more highly regulated than bottled water. “Minneapolis has some of the best tap water in the nation,” said Rybak. “Instead of adding plastic to the waste stream, people can be confident in their public water system. These restaurants are making the right move.” 25,000 people nationwide have also taken the Think Outside the Bottle pledge. “The bottom line is that water is a public trust,” said Amber Collett, Midwest organizer for Corporate Accountability International. “When it is treated as a commodity instead of a shared natural resource, our democracy, health and environment suffers.” # # # For more information on Think Outside the Bottle, city and restaurant actions across the country, and for facts about bottled water, visit www.ThinkOutsideTheBottle.org.
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