Single -use plastic is one of the largest environmental plagues of our time. Plastic packaging is literally everywhere. There are some in the overflowing trash cans, on the sidewalks, on the quays of stations, etc.
The recycling of single -use plastic is still largely ineffective
Even if the plastic is recyclable, we are still far from recycling what we consume on a daily basis. According to National Geographic, “nearly a million plastic bottles are sold every minute”.
The problem we face is that less than 10 % of the plastic consumed is recycled worldwide. With production that is always up despite an overly low recycling rate, plastic accumulates inevitably.
Faced with this alarming observation, some initiatives are trying to gradually change things. This is particularly the case with Bristol Temple Meads station in the United Kingdom.
Drinking water points scattered in Bristol station in the United Kingdom
In partnership with City to Sea, a non -profit environmental organization, Bristol station has installed several drinking water points. The objective is to encourage travelers to fill their water bottle instead of buying new bottles during their journey.
Free water filling terminals are thus distributed throughout the station. Digital panels and screens have also been installed. Their objective is to encourage travelers to use gourdes or reusable bottles.
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“By placing the filling at the heart of one of the most frequented transport centers in the United Kingdom, we allowed hundreds of thousands of people to refuel rather than looking for a plastic bottle,” said Cyan Stuart, head of partnership between the station and the environmental organization.
This initiative has already saved tens of thousands of water bottles
Moreover, City to Sea estimates that around 5 million single -use plastic bottles are thrown every day into the county of Bristol. It is still too early to find out if this initiative will considerably reduce the number of bottles consumed. It is in any case an important step towards a collective awareness.
According to the first data collected, City to SEA claims that these filling terminals have already made it possible to avoid throwing 69,000 plastic bottles. Travelers also have a mobile application to download for free. It indicates the location of the different drinking water points.
“By highlighting the simplicity and speed of filling at the station, we reduce the use of passengers to single -use plastics,” says Gabriella Colwell, head of the station.
The mobile application greatly facilitates this approach. It guides users to the nearest terminal. This encourages them not to buy a plastic bottle.
“We all have a role to play in the fight against plastic pollution and we are proud to collaborate with City to Sea to make things happen in Bristol Temple Meads,” says Gabriella Colwell, head of the station.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
