Behind the Schemes Series: Refill Dorset
We’re awash with success and proud to support #RefillDorset’, says Caz Richards, Project Support Officer for Litter Free Coast & Sea. Caz explains, ‘it’s been key in helping to change people’s habits. Every time somebody refills rather than buying a new bottle from a shop or café, one fewer bottle runs the risk of ending up as either litter or going to landfill.
Single use plastic water bottles are one of the most frequently found items of litter on our beaches here in Dorset, so it’s important to take as many out of circulation as possible. We hope that by asking businesses to offer this simple service, and encouraging customers to take it up, it will become the norm to invest in a bottle you love and take it everywhere with you.’
‘Participating businesses have told us it makes perfect sense to offer free tap water to their customers, and many are keen to promote something they’re doing already. The refills are totally free with no pressure to buy anything else, but we find often people buy a coffee or cake at the same time. Refill not only saves customers money but, for a café, it can also cut down rubbish and recycling bills.
Most importantly it means they can show that they’re a friendly business that cares about their customers and local environment, which is increasingly important in building customer loyalty.