A new campaign against plastic waste is launched across Cornwall today.

Groups from across Cornwall, thanks to funding from the Your Shore Beach Rangers Project and The Big Lottery, are coming together to reduce plastic pollution and litter by calling on people to choose tap water instead of buying plastic bottled water both at home and out and about.

From the Looe Marine Conservation Group and Saltash Sustainability, to Transition Truro and the Mounts Bay Marine Group, all areas of Cornwall will be promoting this message.

Adults in Cornwall will use an estimated 64 million single use plastic water bottles this year.

Refill is an original concept created by BeachCare (Keep Britain Tidy) and launched with Bude resident, Deb Rosser, in 2014 with support from South West Water.

The aim was to encourage people to buy a ReFILL flask and re fill it with tap water at various locations in Bude. It has been a success, reducing plastic usage and raising thousands of pounds from the sale of ReFILL flasks for the ‘Friends of Bude Sea Pool’.

Inspired by Bude ReFill, City to Sea - a Bristol-based marine plastic campaign group - scaled-up the initiative to a nationwide Refill network.

They developed the Refill app which not only allows you to find your nearest refill station but also to add your favourite local café or pub and earn rewards whilst refilling.

Deb Rosser, founder of Bude ReFILL said: “We are so happy to be bringing this scheme back home to Cornwall where it all began. We already have well over 150 local businesses involved and with so many local businesses and passionate communities across Cornwall we believe, together, we can roll out this bottle-busting idea Duchy wide.”

A full list of ReFILL Cornwall locations can be found using the City to Sea ReFILL rewards app. 

The campaign website is www.refill.org.uk or search Facebook for ReFILL Cornwall.