Launched in Aylesbury by the Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership, the campaign is encouraging town centre visitors to use their own refillable bottles and asking local businesses to join the Refill campaign and provide free tap water refills from a drinkable water supply in their premises.

Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns is fully supporting this initiative in Aylesbury and is encouraging other businesses, town centres and district councils across Buckinghamshire to also adopt this scheme.

Lucy Dowson, Tourism Development Manager for Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns, said: “Supporting this initiative is a great step forward in realising our vision of a sustainable, accessible and inclusive destination for residents and visitors. We would like offer our support and encourage other businesses across the county to get involved.”

The effect of plastic waste on the environment

Significant amounts of plastic are making their way into our rivers and seas. It is estimated that one third of plastic pollution in the world's oceans is from plastic bottles and studies have shown that up to 90% of seabirds have plastic in their stomachs. Not only that, but plastic bottles use a considerable amount of energy and water to produce in the first place.

As a national campaign, incorporating the banner ‘Have you #GotTheBottle?’, Refill has already signed up a number of major multiples including John Lewis Partnership, Morrison’s, Costa Coffee and Wetherspoons. But there are also several local independent businesses across Aylesbury that have joined the campaign - at the last count there were over 40 Refill Stations across the whole of Aylesbury, with a concentration in the town centre.

Some interesting facts to support the adoption of the scheme by businesses, include:

• 7 out of 10 people said they would view a business more favourably if it provided a free drink of water
• 67% of people said they would be more likely to use a reusable bottle if they could refill it on the go
• 66% of people said they would be more likely to make a purchase from a business while refilling
• 65% said they would be more likely to return to make future purchases
• 64% would choose to make a purchase from a participating business over a competitor

For further information on the Refill scheme please go to: www.refill.org.uk.

Supporting a Net Zero Buckinghamshire

This sustainable message and campaign is in tune with Buckinghamshire Business First’s campaign to achieve a Net Zero Buckinghamshire economy. The #NetZeroBucks campaign is being launch at our AGM on November 28th. Book your free place now.

Plan your winter activities with Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns

Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns is the official tourism website for the region. For more information, call 01494 927151 or email info@visitbuckinghamshire.org.

Now that winter is approaching, why not find out what you can get up to in your spare time by visiting www.visitbuckinghamshire.org and sign up to receive the Visit Buckinghamshire & The Chilterns monthly newsletter.