Two-thirds of people in the UK would be more likely to carry a reusable bottle if there were more water fountains, according to a recent poll.
The Yonder poll, carried out between January 25 to 29, was commissioned by Ocean Bottle, a social impact brand attempting to reduce ocean plastic.
64% of Britons said they would be more likely to carry a reusable bottle with them when they travelled if there were more refill stations and water fountains in public places, according to a poll of 4,175 Britons.
The same survey found 31% of people buy a bottle of water on long journeys and 61% said they would be less likely to buy a bottle of water if there were more refill stations.
The truth is there are simply not enough places to fill water bottles up when people are out and about and need water most.
Commenting on the survey, Will Pearson, Co-Founder of Ocean Bottle, said: “Within the UK we have some of the cleanest drinking water in the world. Yet despite this, people continue to buy plastic water bottles at a rate of knots, with each person buying an average of three plastic bottles a week.
“The truth is there are simply not enough places to fill water bottles up when people are out and about and need water most. That most people can go a full day without seeing a water fountain speaks volumes.
“Ocean Bottle is launching a campaign exposing the dry spots across the country and calling for more refill stations in public spaces. This will empower consumers to ditch single-use culture and become part of the solution, rather than the problem.”
Survey results suggest that while 74% of people own a reusable water bottle, they are prevented from using it effectively due to the lack of places to refill water bottles when on the go.
According to Recoup research, every year UK consumers go through an estimated 14 billion plastic drinks bottles, with over half of these being bottled water.
Without a comprehensive network of water fountains, it is impossible to expect people to shift away from an over-reliance on single-use plastic bottles.
58% of people said they feel frustrated when they can’t find a water fountain and have to buy a bottle of water. While 64% try to avoid buying a plastic water bottle where possible.
North Devon MP Selaine Saxby, commented: “I have been a longstanding campaigner for a scheme which helps people refill their water bottles when on the move.
“I recently wrote to the parish clerks of my coastal areas about schemes to help them install water fountains but the costs are still quite prohibitive in more rural locations that sometimes require boreholes.
“Without a comprehensive network of water fountains, it is impossible to expect people to shift away from an over-reliance on single-use plastic bottles. Government, businesses and local authorities must now work together to deliver this.”