SCOTTISH Water is calling on Scots to use refillable bottles and top up from the tap to support the transition towards reuse systems and to combat water wastage – as Scotland marks World Refill Day.
The Refill campaign launched its global day of action in 2020 to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste.
Now the campaign is on its third year of spreading awareness, empowering communities, making reusables accessible and promoting changing behaviour to help fight the climate crisis.
Last year’s World Refill Day had its biggest impact to date, with 80 countries participating and 400 organisations signing Refill’s open letter to the biggest plastic polluters.
To mark this year's drive, Scottish Water pointed to its partnership with Network Rail encouraing commuters to make use of revamped water points at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley stations.
Ross Moran, Network Rail head of operations delivery for Scotland, said: “This is another exciting part of our sustainability strategy. In recent years we have reduced our carbon footprint at our stations, introducing various initiatives including more sustainable lighting and implementing robust recycling processes. These have also been supported by companies in the station.
"So, we are delighted to partner with Scottish Water to promote our water bottle refill points which will enable passengers to stay hydrated whilst they are on the go.”
In Glasgow Central, the rebranded bottle refill stations are located across from Costa Coffee and opposite the ticket gate at platforms 9 and 10. Passengers in Edinburgh can find the water points opposite platform 5 and in the main booking hall.
Brian Lironi, director of corporate affairs at Scottish Water, said: “People across Scotland who have used our Top Up Taps have saved the equivalent of one and a half million single-use plastic bottles through staying hydrated on the move with reusable bottles.
“We’re delighted that Network Rail is joining the wave and encouraging people to think about their health and the planet by making a virtue of these refill points in Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.
“These stations are the gateway to and from Scotland’s busiest cities for many thousands of travellers every day and we’re delighted that they can enjoy Scotland’s public tap water as they arrive or depart the station.”
Yesterday, Marks and Spencer joined the refill revolution with 300 stores now offering water, hot drinks and a fill-your-own range which allows customers to access 40 cupboard staples without any waste packaging.
Head to any participating store with your own reusable packaging and you will be offered a 10% discount.
Samuel Higginson, head of food technology at Marks & Spencer, said: “Marks & Spencer launched our ‘Refilled’ range as a pilot last year, building on the work we’ve already done across the organisation to reduce packaging and provide refill options for our customers.
“So far, we’ve been really pleased with how its progressing.
“The feedback from customers has been resoundingly positive, return rates have been high and some products have even outsold their single-use equivalent!
“Looking to the future, we’ve got plans to expand the range and are optimistic about the potential the system provides to help us meet our packaging reduction targets.”
Today marks the launch of Refill’s first Global Reuse Summit – the free online event is running until 4pm and will bring together change-makers, business leaders, policy makers and innovators.
