With summer heating up, staying hydrated is more important than ever. There’s no better time to get into the habit of carrying a reusable water bottle wherever you go.
While recycling plays a role in reducing waste, it’s not a complete solution to plastic pollution. Recycling is an energy-intensive industrial process that involves collecting, transporting, melting, and remanufacturing materials each stage relying heavily on fossil fuels. As a result, recycling contributes to the climate crisis rather than solving it.
Even more concerning, most of the plastic isn’t recycled at all. Globally, less than 10% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Around 80% ends up in landfills or polluting our natural environment. In the UK, the British Plastics Federation reports that 46% of plastic waste is incinerated, 19% is exported, and 17% goes to landfill.
That’s why we’re relaunching the Mole Valley Refill Scheme and encouraging more local businesses to join. You can find a full list of participating refill stations on our website or discover refill-friendly businesses across the UK by downloading the Refill app.
For tips and ideas on how to reduce single-use plastics in your daily routine, visit the Refill website for 10 ways to refill. Simple actions like using a reusable coffee cup or packing your lunch can make a big difference.
In recognition of this we have awarded this story the Waste and Recycling badge for help us be aware of the impacts of single use plastic this world refill day.
