Newport takes step closer to going plastic free
Newport has taken another step closer to becoming plastic free by launching a water refill scheme.
Campaigners for Plastic Free Newport will officially launch the scheme on Thursday.
Participating cafes, bars, restaurants, banks, and other businesses will put up a sticker in their window letting people know they are involved.
Simone Whitfield from Sustainable Newport, said: "Here in Newport we’re rightly proud of the area’s stunning countryside.
"Plastics, including single-use plastic bottles, are now the most frequently found type of litter on UK beaches and you don’t have to look far to find them littering our town and green spaces too.
"Launching the Refill scheme seemed a great complementary program to our campaign to become a Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free community by July – reducing our dependence on Single Use Plastic.”
Cath Edwards, Chairperson of Sustainable Newport, said: “Refill Newport gives us all the opportunity to help make this type of litter a thing of the past at the same time as saving money.
Passionate
"It’s good business sense as well, as customers view businesses that provide free water refills more favourably and are more likely to return to them to make future purchases.”
Refill Newport is the latest Refill effort in the region, and the scheme is becoming increasingly popular across the UK. There are no 16,000 refill stations nationally.
James Watt, Refill regional coordinator, said: “We know lots of businesses already offer this simple service, but find customers often feel embarrassed or cheeky for asking.
"By letting people know they can look for Refill stickers or posters and be confident they can refill for free where they find one, Refill Bridgnorth is encouraging more people to take one small step away from relying on single use plastic bottles.
"It’s a really simple concept with a really big potential result.”
Jessica Fidler, corporate social responsibility lead for the Severn Trent Refill team, said: “We’re passionate about the environment at Severn Trent, and the Refill campaign is a brilliant way to help reduce unnecessary plastic waste, as well as encouraging people to keep healthy and hydrated by drinking tap water for free.”
For more information about Refill Newport visit sustainablenewportshropshire.org
