The bottom line is that the to-the-consumer cost of bottled water will never adequately reflect the externalities that stem from its production, transportation, and disposal of waste – thus an opportunity for policy. Similar situation with catalytic converters on cars, or low flow shower heads.

I know that policy-making that restricts choice doesn’t comfortably fit into small-c conservative ideology, but as I’ve noted elsewhere, I’d argue that were at the juncture where “conservatism” needs to replace small government with smart government that serves conservative goals better in the longer term.

That is to say, I see something like banning bottled water as inherently conservative because it uses a simple policy tweak today to offset a future policy nightmare (environmental degradation).

If just water, then it’s kinda silly because the person will just buy a coke instead.

It’s a question of choice.
I agree that bottled water is an environmental blight and those that purchase it is rather stupid (its tap water for the most part morons).

I’d be behind them if they implemented that changes without the banning…