Drinking water in a plastic bottle, what could be more innocuous? This habit will yet soon virtually disappeared from the halls of the San Francisco international airport (SFO) commencing on the next August 20. For ecological reasons, the SFO is preparing to ban the sale of plastic water bottles in the shops that are present in its walls. This measure, which is part of the plan "zero waste" of airport launched three years ago, is a world first.

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Now, travelers should bring a container that they can fill in one of the fountains that have been put in place, more than a hundred. If not, they can always buy a bottle of water in the glass, compostable materials certified, or recycled aluminum. However, the prohibition does not apply to soft drinks, or juice. Each year, nearly 4 million bottles of water are sold in the airport.

"This is a big step for the airport," said Doug Yakel, head of the information of the SFO, "it's only further support our green initiative", he says. Last march, the airport had already banned the sale of accessories, food single-use plastic (cutlery, cups, plates...). The new policy also makes the airport the first to establish such a settlement in favour of ecology.

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The program "zero waste" also includes the end of the marketing of plastic bags and the installation of a plan of waste sorting and the reduction of 30% in the use of paper.

In 2014, the city of San Francisco had already put in place a measure to combat the use of plastic, by prohibiting the sale of bottled water in the places municipal, but without affecting the private companies.