Sainsbury’s shoppers will soon be able to fill up water bottles for free as it rolls out fountains in 326 stores
SAINSBURY’S is installing water fountains in 326 of its stores so shoppers can fill up their bottles for free. From August, customers will find fresh water stands in hundreds of the supermarket’s in store cafes. Sainsbury’s, which has more than 600 supermarkets across the UK, is hoping that the move will reduce the number of […]
SAINSBURY’S is installing water fountains in 326 of its stores so shoppers can fill up their bottles for free.
From August, customers will find fresh water stands in hundreds of the supermarket’s in store cafes.
Sainsbury’s, which has more than 600 supermarkets across the UK, is hoping that the move will reduce the number of plastic bottles that are used every year.
Like many other high street retailers, it is taking extra measures in the war against single-use plastics.
Following in the footsteps of Waitrose and Morrisons, from today customers are encouraged to bring their own re-usable containers when they’re using the deli counters.
This is to cut back on plastic packaging that’s used to wrap meat, fish, cheese and deli products.
The truth about plastic bottles
HERE are some shocking stats about plastic bottles in the UK, according to Water.org.uk:
- In the UK 7.7billion plastic water bottles are used each year,
- On average, each person uses 150 plastic water bottles a year – that’s more than three a week,
- It’s estimated that only around half of the 38.5 million plastic bottles used in the UK every day are recycled, with around 16 million ending up in landfill, being burnt, or entering the environment and waterways.
- If just one in 10 Brits refilled once a week, we’d save around 340million plastic bottles a year,
- The weight of plastic saved by removing one billion plastic bottles is equal to 12,700 metric tonnes, or just under 13 million kilograms. That’s the equivalent of around 50 eurotunnel trains, or more than 2,100 African bush elephants.
Similar to Costa, Starbucks and Pret, the supermarket already offers customers 25p off hot drinks when they bring their own re-usable cup.
Last week, we reported how Sainsbury’s will pay you 5p for every plastic bottle or drinks can that you recycle in store as one of its new reverse vending machines.
In the UK, 7.7billion plastic water bottles are used every year, according to water.org.uk, which is equal to 150 a year each.
Sainsbury’s isn’t the first to step up to the challenge.
Last year, Pret, Costa and Premier Inn all announced they would offer free tap water to customers who want to fill up their reusable bottles.
The supermarket hopes to remove 10,000 tonnes of plastic from stores this year alone.
Sainsbury’s chief executive Mike Coupe said: “Our customers want to use less plastic so I am determined that Sainsbury’s continues to find ways to help them do that.
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“Allowing customers to refill their own water bottles and re-use food containers is further evidence of our commitment to reduce unnecessary plastic waste.”
We also reported how Sprite is ditching its iconic green bottles and replacing them with clear plastic that’s easier to recycle.
If you’re feeling green-fingered, here’s how to be kind to the planet and your purse by ditching plastic with our cash-saving tips.
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