WORLD REFILL DAY
Join the Refill Revolution
World Refill Day is a global public awareness campaign to prevent plastic pollution and help people live with less waste. Together with our planet-protecting partners, and thousands of everyday activists around the world, we’re calling on businesses, brands and governments to choose to reuse and help make single-use plastic a thing of the past.
As a global movement, we have the power to create a wave of change. By choosing to reuse, we’re saving millions of pieces of plastic and sending a message to the rest of the world that the solutions to plastic pollution and the climate crisis are there – and together we can keep our environment, oceans, cities and communities plastic-free for the future.
Our impact in 2021
The number of countries engaged in World Refill Day
The estimated potential reach of the campaign around the world.
Refill Stations around the world, 80,000 new fountains added ahead of World Refill Day.
Get involved with World Refill Day
Choose to Reuse
Say goodbye to single-use plastic and refill and reuse instead. Check out our top tips for getting started.
Tell businesses to act
Let your favourite brands know YOU want to see them do more to reduce single-use plastic by offering reusable options.
300 million
We create more than 300 million tonnes of plastic every year. Half of this is single-use.
Globally, less than 2% of packaging is reusable.
10%
Less than 10% of the plastic we use has ever been recycled.
We currently consume 1.75 times more resources each year than the Earth can naturally regenerate.
Why we need a Refill Revolution
Our addiction to single-use plastic is out of control and the pandemic has only made it worse. We’ve seen governments and businesses backtrack on their commitments to take action and some have banned reusables altogether, whilst increasing the use of single-use plastic.
Our throwaway culture is polluting our planet and we need to turn off the tap. Our rivers, oceans and natural environment are overflowing with plastic, harming marine life and polluting the food we eat and the water we drink.
Packaging from take-away food and drinks is a huge cause of plastic pollution and items like coffee cups and takeaway containers are consistently in the top 10 items found on beaches around the world. A global report revealed that food wrappers are now the most found item on beaches around the world overtaking cigarettes for the first time.
It’s time for a #RefillRevolution! It’s clear that a ‘business as usual’ scenario based on recycling – which has been the focus of many corporate and government commitments to date – isn’t working. We need a bolder approach that focuses on refill and reuse.
Getting reusables back on the menu
As a result of the pandemic, we’ve seen a huge increase in single-use plastic – particularly from take-away food packaging, retail and PPE – and organisations have backtracked on their commitments to tackle single-use and scale reuse. Many retailers, chains and brands banned reusables, despite the evidence from over 120 scientists publicly stating they are safe to use. A key theme of World Refill Day will be helping businesses to return to reuse as they reopen and getting reusables back on the menu. City to Sea have created guidance and support for businesses to help them return to refill. If you find a business not accepting reusables, help them out by sharing the covid and reusables guidance with them.
CONTACTLESS COFFEE
Reusables can be used safely and accepting them doesn’t have to be complicated – in fact, it can be super simple! That’s why we’ve developed the following guidance for accepting reusable coffee cups safely.
Water Refill Guidance
If you’re a Refill Station and you want to start offering water Refills, we’re here to help. Read on to find out how to help keep your thirsty customers hydrated – and your staff safe.
Take-away packaging
As hospitality outlets reopen, we know there are a lot of priorities to consider and packaging is up there for many environmentally conscious businesses that are now having to turn to take-away models to stay afloat.
WORLD REFILL DAY SUPPORTERS
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Award-winning writer, TV presenter and campaigner.
Clare Nasir
Meteorologist, author, and TV presenter.
Paul Rose
One of the world’s most experienced divers, field science and polar experts.
Petrice Jones
Actor and Founder of the One Movement. Image source: https://twitter.com/petricejones.
Dee Caffari MBE
Dee Caffari MBE has sailed around the world six times. She is the first woman to have sailed single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions and the only woman to have sailed non-stop around the world a total of three times. Image Credit: Charlie Clift.
Stewart McPhearson
Stewart is an award-winning author of over 35 natural history books and presenter of numerous wildlife TV documentaries. He leads dozens of expeditions across the world each year and has discovered 35 new species. He co-founded Darwin200 and is leading this innovative, global venture. Image source: https://darwin200.com/meet-the-team/
Alison Steadman OBE
Award-winning actress Alison Steadman OBE is well-known for her notable television roles in ‘Gavin & Stacey’; ‘Hold The Sunset’; ‘Pride and Prejudice’; and BAFTA nominated ‘Care’.
Kate Quilton
Katie Marie Quilton is an English television presenter and journalist. She is best known for presenting a number of Channel 4 television series, including Food Unwrapped since 2012.
WORLD REFILL DAY MEDIA
To speak to the team about any media opportunities, for further information or to arrange interviews please visit our media centre.
World Refill Day is supported by:
