Bottles of water have disappeared from duty-free shops at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. The change is explained as part of the fight against plastic pollution. The aim is to draw tourists' attention to the problem of excessive use of single-use plastics.
Today, there are 12 duty-free shops in the halls of Schiphol Airport. According to experts' estimates, the new policy could prevent the use of around 750,000 plastic bottles per year.
As an alternative, tourists are offered to fill their reusable containers from a free tap with drinking water. It was installed in waiting room No. 2.
There is, however, one big "but" in this innovation: it is still possible to buy water in disposable plastic bottles at other retail outlets at Amsterdam Airport. So all hope rests on conscious tourists.
It is worth noting that there are already many airports around the world that have drinking fountains installed. And tourists flying from Helsinki are even allowed to bring up to 2 liters of liquid on board the plane.
The removal of strict restrictions became possible after CT scanners were installed at the local terminal. They check passengers' belongings for dangerous substances and allow electronics and liquids to remain in hand luggage.
