Vendors Pour Cold Water On Government Bottle 'ban'

What had been billed as a ban on small bottles of water being sold in vending machines on government premises failed to get off to the best of starts on Tuesday, with officials admitting that such products were still available in many locations.

The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said more than half of 1,500 vending machines at sports facilities, parks, performance venues and government offices still offered small bottles of water under a litre in size.

Officials said they would be encouraging suppliers to remove the products voluntarily, while the bottle restriction would be included in future contracts and leases.

Secretary for the Environment Wong Kam-sing said late last year that the government was hoping to set an example with a ban aimed at reducing the amount of plastic waste the city produces.

The EPD said that Tuesday was not the start date of a "ban" as such, but contracts signed from now on will specify that these products are not allowed to be sold on government property. It said following negotiations, around 40 percent of vending machines are already no longer stocked with small bottles of water.