With mounting litter at Grand Canyon National Park a plan was developed to ban plastic bottles (that accounts for 30% of the litter) was side tracked after Coke-Cola weighs in. At last that is what it looks like even though both sides deny it.

A plan to ban the sale of plastic water bottles at the Grand Canyon was scrapped after talks with Coca-Cola, which is a donor to the national parks system and a bottled water distributor, a former park superintendent who worked on the plan said.
However, National Park Service spokesman Dave Barna said Thursday the plug was pulled on the ban after the agency’s director determined it wouldn’t solve the littering problem at the popular tourist spot and that the plan needed more work.

The Coca-Cola Co. was not the leading factor in the decision to dump the plan two weeks ahead of its scheduled Jan. 1, 2011,[sic wrong year 2012] start, Barna said. Coca-Cola also denied trying to influence the decision.

MSNBC

I guess the fact that Coke donates significant money to the National Parks to the tune of 14 million wasn’t a factor.

I enjoy the National Parks and have been to Grand Canyon a number of time. The general conditions of our National Parks is pretty strained with bad roads outdated facilities etc. so private donations are pretty important. I also never understand why people feel like the world is their trashcan just dumping litter where ever.
There is no doubt a plan needs to be come up with that balances visitors needs as well as the impact on the environment. I would suggest strict enforcement and stiff fines for those who litter in a park. As far as trashcans and recycle bins it seems to be ample ones within the park. We always carry our stuff out if we are hiking or if we are riding we keep it in our car till we get to a location to properly dispose of the litter. Common sense and proper behavior suggests everyone should do this but we all know that is never the case.

No matter what the reason for putting this rule aside a better solution needs to be developed because the size of the park makes it almost a necessity for these products to be offered for sale within the park.

Grand Canyon in Winter Photo by Moose

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