SUPPORT FOR TAP WATER CUTS WASTE
Scotland is leading the way by topping up from the tap and reducing waste. Your Water Your Life, a campaign launched by Scottish Water a year ago, has been embraced by thirsty H20 drinkers across the country.
The message encouraging people to top up water bottles from the tap, whether at home or on the go, has been a resounding success.
More than 90 per cent of people surveyed now agree that refilling from the tap rather than buying single-use plastic bottles is better for the environment.
Water in Scotland is famously the best in the world – with 84 per cent of people asked saying our water is fresh, clear and great tasting.
Overall, 64 per cent now carry a reusable bottle at least sometimes – an increase of six per cent year on year.
Cafes, bars and restaurants across Scotland have also been quick to support the campaign and have been happy to turn on their water taps for customers.
Their positive approach has helped boost requests for water fill-ups, with a seven per cent increase in people asking to be topped up from the tap, even when not buying anything.
Many schoolchildren, fitness fans and anyone who wants to keep hydrated now turn to tap water rather than single-use plastic.
But more can still be done, with 20 per cent of people still never taking a refillable bottle with them when they go out.
By using a refillable bottle and Scotland’s brilliant tap water, you’re helping protect the environment as well as it being good for your health and your wallet.
It’s an easy habit to adopt and depending on Carla Xufre-fay works at Bistro Six, a cafe in East Kilbride Shopping Centre and one of many independent businesses happy to Top up from the Tap.
“We are delighted to offer our customers as well as the passing public free tap water and free water refills, ” says owner James Fay.
“There’s many benefits, from the environment to health, and we hope other retailers will get involved.” how much water you used to buy could start to save money instead.
Now, 12 months on, our national water provider wants to thank everyone for doing their bit for the planet.
To make it easier for everyone to fill up on the go, Scottish Water has installed 10 Top up Taps across the country, from Fort William to Dumfries.
During the next two years, 30 towns and cities will get one of the hi-tech water units. Scottish Water have also partnered with many events and businesses to encourage people to Top up from the Tap – from the Royal Highland Show to Pride Edinburgh.
Scottish Swimming became the first national representative organisation to back the campaign, stopping providing plastic bottles for officials, coaches and managers – estimated to save 10,000 bottles a year.
Other events have also taken place in locations including George Square in Glasgow and at the ASI Scottish Open in East Lothian.
Scottish Water serves up 1.4 billion litres of water a day to 2.54million households and 152,000 business premises.
A spokesperson for Scottish Water said: “We’re playing our part in helping Scotland become a more sustainable country.”