Access to clean water is a human right. But for many it is difficult, expensive or potentially dangerous to access. Globally, 1 in 4 people do not have access to a safe source for drinking water.
In the town of Puerto Escondido, like many other places in Mexico, the solution has been to purchase bottled water. While large refillable tanks are available for in-home and business use, finding a reliable and clean source of drinking water while outside the house can be challenging. With a large influx of tourists into the area, this also contributes to the amount of water being purchased in plastic bottles as per the advice of travel blogs and governments.
After the immediate cost of buying water is the post-consumption conundrum of responsibly disposing of the plastic waste. With inconsistent recycling infrastructure, elimination of plastics is a much more effective way forward to reduce the amount of packaging waste from accumulating in the community. In addition, bottles of water are often stored in direct sunlight accelerating the decomposition of the PET container’s volatile compounds and contaminating the water. The added health implications of avoiding drinking these bottled waters render an undeniable trio of benefits economically, environmentally and for our bodies.
A group of people in Puerto Escondido saw where they could make a positive impact, and founded Sostenible Puerto Escondido five years ago. Initially, they mobilized by rallying the community to perform clean-ups, collecting waste from neighbourhoods and disposing of it responsibly. It soon dawned on them that a lot of the plastic waste was from bottled water. They had to address the source of the problem. So in collaboration with Ecofiltro, a producer of natural water filters which do not require electricity or chemicals, they forged ahead with the intention of building a network of free water stations in the community.
Staying true to their motto of “Menos plasticos, mas vida”, the volunteer-run organization has managed to establish 92 free water filter stations throughout the town and surrounding neighborhoods, reducing the reliance on plastic bottled water for both tourists and locals. This work would not be possible without the buy-in from the community and food businesses offering themselves as conduits to healthier, fairer and more sustainable access to water.
While spending time in the town, I found the organization through the “Agua Gratis” signs stationed outside of businesses and met with the organizers to participate in collective neighbourhood cleanups, while learning more about the initiative and the importance of the work. The effort aligns with Chef’s Manifesto Thematic Areas 4, 7 and 8 and can be a way for chefs and hospitality businesses to think differently about how they can make an impact in addition to the way they source, prepare and serve food.
Restaurants, bars and cafes are pillars of neighbourhoods and can be a source of community all over the world as they provide an opportunity for connection: with people, with culture and with the land. Hospitality venues provide nourishment far beyond serving food and beverage.
This incredible program brings about the broader conversation about how chefs and hospitality businesses can connect further with their community by acting as conduits for other organizations to work through them. It can be an overwhelming task trying to build a better future, even within the four walls of a small restaurant. There are so many factors to be considered, systems to be designed, implemented and training given. Finding synergy between local organizations can be a great way to follow the Chefs Manifesto Action Plan and build stronger, more sustainable systems into the operation.
Much like the Sostenible PE project, finding creative solutions to challenges can offer fruitful results when everybody is excited to see positive change. Calling attention to the strengths you have in your business which can be shared could be a good starting point. For example, these could look like a favourable location, heated patio in cold climates or large storage space. Offering the opportunity for collaboration with other organizations only strengthens the bonds within communities and builds resilience within our societies.
