Water bottle refill scheme

Council signs up to free

RHONDDA Cynon Taf council has joined an award-winning movement which is making it free and easy for people to refill water bottles at numerous locations across the UK.

Refill RCT is helping not-for-profit organisation City to Sea introduce refill stations across a number of town centres in Rhondda Cynon Taff, by encouraging local businesses to sign up and provide free water.

Thanks to a number of businesses coming forward to get involved with the scheme, there are now 43 refill stations in RCT, including cafes, bars, restaurants, and other businesses.

The refill stations are currently located in seven town centres in RCT – so thirsty shoppers and visitors can pop in when they’re on the go and refill their re-usable bottles.

The council is now urging more businesses to come forward and join the Refill UK revolution that is changing the way people drink water.

All businesses need to do to sign up is download the free Refill app and put a sticker in their window alerting passers-by to the fact they’re welcome to fill up their bottle for free.

City to Sea, a not-forprofit organisation headed by entrepreneur Natalie Fee, launched the awardwinning Refill Scheme in 2015. Now being rolled out nationwide with full support of Welsh Government and water companies Dwr Cymru and Hafren Dyfrdwy, Refill will substantially increase the availability of high-quality drinking water.

Councillor Ann Crimmings, Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s cabinet member for environment, leisure and heritage services, said: The news that you can now refill on the go in a number of town centres in RCT is fantastic and is another reason to visit RCT.

“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.

“We’re pleased to be able to deliver this scheme and Refill RCT will help to build on the success of Refill around the UK, which now boasts a network of over 13,000 Refill stations.”

Environment Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “More water refill stations in our villages, towns and cities will help cut down on the amount of singleuse plastics we use.

“This is another step towards my ambition of Wales becoming the World’s first Refill Nation.”

Find out more at : rctcbc. gov.uk/RefillRCT

St David’s shopping centre in Cardiff has launched the Refill Me campaign to reduce single-use plastic in the city by allowing shoppers to refill their water bottles for free