Celebrating the Refill Resurgence this World Refill Day

Plastic Free Communities engaging with businesses and community groups across the UK are in a perfect place to start Refill schemes. In fact, it’s one of the first things our communities choose to do after getting their Plastic Free Communities status. Here’s just a snapshot of some of the schemes that are springing up, to stop the tide of plastic pollution at source.

Brummie Cup

Brummie cup was brought to life by Ben, Shirley and Izzy from Plastic Free Moseley and Kings Heath. Disposable coffee cups are generally made of both card and plastic, making them very hard to recycle. With over seven million being used every day in the UK, they decided to do something about it. They achieved funding for their project, collaborated with local cafes and businesses, and it launched in 2022.

After a successful trial, where in one local business, 50% of all drinks were now being sold in Brummie cups, they rolled out the scheme across their community. Brummie Cups have now been used over 1000 times.

How does Brummie cup work?

1. Ask for your drink in a Brummie cup at a participating business
2. Pay a £2 deposit
3. Enjoy your takeaway drink
4. Return the cup to any participating venue for your £2 back.

Plastic Free Sheffield Refill Cups

Greg and his team from Plastic Free Sheffield, have just launched their refill cup scheme, and it’s gearing up to be another success. They have been working with local businesses to get the scheme up and running. They hope to be able to use their cups at big events around Sheffield, including the Plastic Free Festival in Chesterfield.

Greg says “We’re really excited to work with event companies and groups over the next year to get our cups being used at events across the city. Community lead schemes like this are so important in reducing plastic pollution. The scheme also helps councils address their sustainability goals, and also help them save money on waste costs. It really is a win/win.’’

Helensburgh Top Up Taps

Helensburghs’ water refill stations are a collaboration between the local community council, Plastic Free Helensburgh, Scottish Water, SEPA and Jackie Baillie, their local MSP. It’s a great example of how Plastic Free Communities can work together with other groups to bring about change.

Sarah Davies from Plastic Free Helensburgh says “The tap is also conveniently situated at the point where the community meets for regular beach cleans and our dedicated volunteers will benefit from the Tap to refill their own bottles. It will also help significantly reduce the number of plastic bottles littering our beach and promenade.”

They are now encouraging their community to use new water fill stations located around the town, and to carry reusable bottle or cups when out and about.

Angela Anderson Lead PFH with Jackie Baillie MSP, Sarah Davies and Elizabeth Lambert PFH steering group and Head of Communications Scottish Water

Cheshire Cup Club

Helen Tandy and her team decided to bring a reusable coffee cup scheme to Chester in 2019, just after achieving plastic free status. They were finding single use coffee cups during their litter picks, and set about getting funding to tackle the problem.

The Cheshire Cup Hub Scheme launched, and now has already has 15 businesses already signed up to trial scheme.

Helen says “Single use coffee cups are rarely recycled, and we were also worried about the increase in compostable coffee cups, which due to limited industrial recycling, was also a problem”

Helens explains how their cup scheme works:

“We own the cups, and businesses can join as members. There’s no need for a cash deposit from customers, and everyone understands the need to return them. This makes it easier for businesses and customers to get involved, especially as some businesses are card only.”

Small changes can really make a big difference, so check out the tips below on getting re-filling this June:

• When you’re out and about: Remember the 3 Rs – Refuse, Refill and Rethink
• Say no thanks to plastic bottles, and take a refillable water bottle wherever you go.
• Refuse to buy disposable coffee cups, and find out if your local café offers a discount for using a reusable cup.
• Find a refill water station, coffee shop and more refill options near you using the City to Sea Refill App
• Find your local Plastic Free Community, or set up your own, and join the movement today