Refill, refresh, reduce! Tameside launch new hydration scheme

The picture shows from left to right: Garry Parker, Head of Operations and Neighbourhoods; Helen Attenborough of Magpies Nest and Refill Station; Jenny and Beverley Shillitoe of Jenny’s Breakfast and Sandwich Bar and Refill Station; Elle Johnson, Public Health Modern Apprentice; Rachel Cornes, Portland Basin Museums Manager and Refill Station; Victoria Hamlett, Population Health Programme Officer; Christopher Watkins, Environmental Development Project Support Officer; Christina Morton, Environmental Development Officer.

TAMESIDE’S new Refill Scheme makes it easier to stay hydrated and healthy on the go – and cuts plastic waste

Remember the long, scorching summer of last year? Wouldn’t it be convenient if while you were out and about in the hot, dusty town centre, you could pop into a shop and refill your water bottle with fresh, cold water for free?

That’s exactly what a national campaign called Refill has organised in Tameside, working with local businesses, the Tameside Food Partnership and the Council.

From the launch of Refill in Tameside on 5^th June, almost 40 local businesses will be offering the free water refills – and there are more in the pipeline. You can spot a Refill Station by the blue Refill sticker in the windows of participating businesses.

There’s a free Refill app for people to download, which makes it easy to tap into the network of 16,000 Refill Stations already established nationwide. And you can tap the app to see how much plastic you’re saving every time you top up.

The businesses already signed up to offer the Refill service in Tameside from 5^th June include
Infinity Initiatives in Ashton, Dunelm Mill Pausa Shop Café in Audenshaw, Sandra D’s in Denton, Rioba Café in Droylsden, Gracie’s in Hyde, Emmaus Mossley, and Food 2 Go in Stalybridge.

Cllr Eleanor Wills, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Health, Social Care and Population Health, said:

“Thanks to the Refill campaign you can save money on expensive bottled water. You can get the convenience of being able to refill your bottle for free while you’re out of your home or your workplace. And Refill makes it easier to stay healthy by rehydrating properly.

“You also help the environment by cutting down on waste plastic and reducing our carbon footprint. In the long run, by helping the move towards a greener future, you’re also helping save council taxpayers’ money on waste disposal.

“On a personal note, when I’m out with my 20 month old daughter, I have had to buy water in a plastic bottle to refill her cup. I think this campaign will impact many people within our local community with its convenience.”

Cllr Wills concluded, “Surveys show that the British public wants schemes like this: 73% of us are concerned about plastic pollution, and 64% of people surveyed said they’d stop buying bottled water if they could access tap water refills.”

Find out more about Refill Tameside and how you can take part at https://www.tameside.gov.uk/refill-scheme Visit the Refill website at www.refill.org.uk to download the free Refill app and find out more about the Refill movement.

Full list of Refill Stations in Tameside at time of launch, 5^th June 2019

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