Businesses across Nottingham have signed up to an initiative which allows people to easily find places to fill-up reusable water bottles for free.
Over 60 local businesses, including restaurants, cafes and coffee shops, signed up to the Refill Scheme last week which is being rolled out across Nottingham by water company Severn Trent, Nottingham City Council, and founding organisation, City to Sea.
The Refill Scheme aims to promote free tap water, helping keep people hydrated, as well as bringing environmental benefits by reducing the use of plastic bottles.
Severn Trent’s corporate responsibility lead, Jess Fidler said: “Our action day in Nottingham was a tremendous success and businesses have really got onboard with Refill. To sign up a further 62 businesses was fantastic and everyone showed a real interest in the campaign.
“Businesses which signed up are now proudly displaying their Refill window stickers and are also appearing on the Refill app where people can find any Refill Station here in Nottingham or across the UK.”
Councillor Sally Longford, Portfolio Holder for Energy and Environment, said: “This is a brilliantly simple idea for both businesses and local people to make a real impact on one of the biggest single use plastic offenders. There has been a real move towards sustainability in the city from both citizens and businesses and all are keen to reduce their environmental impact, so I’m really pleased but not surprised that this initiative has done so well in Nottingham.”
“We’re proud to be part of this scheme. So many of us were really affected by the images of plastics in our oceans in the BBC’s Blue Planet series, but also left wondering what we can do. This scheme brings partners together to tackle several of the themes for our city’s vision for a sustainable future. We want to help create healthy, sustainable communities that have a lower impact on the world around them. Not only is it better for the environment, but it can save citizens money and help us all drink healthily, especially in hot summers like the last one.”
“We are really keen to keep up the momentum with this initiative and we’ll be utilising our networks with local businesses to grow this scheme and as well as championing other green schemes for the city to get behind.”
Matt Douglas Marketing Manager at 200 Degrees Coffee Shop said “We’re really happy to be involved in the Refill campaign, all seven of our shops in the UK have signed up. We’re environmentally conscious and this is a great way to reduce single use plastic. We welcome Nottingham people to refill here.”
200 Degrees customer Craig Fiddes said “I really like the sound of this scheme, anything that helps me reduce my plastic footprint is good for me. I’m really pleased to hear so many local businesses have got onboard and will make me feel welcome when popping in to refill my water bottle. I really encourage people to download the App to find their nearest Refill station.”
John O’Brien Business manager at The Malt Cross said “This is a great idea for local businesses in Nottingham, on the whole we are all trying to do our bit to be greener. This scheme is an easy way to help reduce plastic usage in the city and it’s a great service for our customers”
The Refill app can be downloaded for free on Google Play or the App Store. Anyone wanting to get in touch, find out more about Refill, or those looking to sign up or become an ambassador, can email refill@severntrent.co.uk.