Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has announced a ban on the sale of single-use plastic water bottles, becoming the second major U.S. airport to implement such a measure in an effort to promote sustainable travel. The ban, which also applies to Van Nuys Airport (VNY), exempts bottled water served on aircraft.
The decision follows a two-year phase-out period approved by the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners in June 2021. This allowed vendors at the airports to sell their existing bottled water inventory and adjust their purchasing contracts.
The initiative is part of Los Angeles' "Green New Deal," an ambitious plan aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 through zero-carbon transportation, buildings, and electricity, waste elimination, and local water sourcing.
Going forward, businesses with leases or concession agreements at the two airports must use containers made from recyclable aluminum or glass. To facilitate this transition, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has installed hydration stations throughout LAX and VNY, encouraging passengers to bring reusable water bottles.
LAX, one of the nation's busiest airports, is a hub for all "Big Three" U.S. airlines and a significant international gateway. VNY, while not hosting regularly scheduled commercial airline service, is a popular general aviation airport in Southern California.
Justin Erbacci, CEO of Los Angeles World Airports, emphasized the importance of this initiative in enhancing sustainability across their airports. The move follows San Francisco International Airport's (SFO) ban on single-use water bottles announced in August 2019, which has since expanded to include single-use plastic packaging for sodas, teas, and juices. It remains to be seen if Los Angeles will follow a similar path.
