Ten new water bottle refill points will be installed across the Square Mile in a bid to reduce the use of plastic bottles and encourage a refill culture.

Two of the refill points, which will be rolled out over the next two years, will be located in the recently completed Aldgate Square, in the east of the City.

The others – which the City plans to list on the Refill app - will be placed in parks, retail squares, by the River Thames and near transport hubs, with exact locations decided after a public consultation.

The plans are part of a wider of campaign to be launched by the City Corporation in Spring which will create a network water of bottle refill stations in City pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes.

The City Corporation will lead by example by reducing the use of plastics across the organisation, and City businesses will be encouraged to sign up to a pledge scheme to reduce their own use of plastic straws, bottles, and cups.

There are currently six working fountains in the Square Mile*.

Jeremy Simons, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Environment Committee, said:

“The impact of plastic bottles on the environment is clear and it is time for us to play our part.

“These water bottle refill points are a step forward. Working with City firms we will create a true refill culture in the Square Mile and cut damaging plastic waste.”

The City Corporation is the port health authority for London, the largest port health authority in the UK, responsible for services on the River Thames, from Teddington to the English Channel. It protects public health by preventing infectious disease, ensuring water quality, making vessel inspections and enforcing environmental controls.

It is also responsible for keeping the City clean. The Square Mile is the world’s leading international financial centre and its 483,000 workers and 9,400 residents rightly expect the street scene to be of a very high standard in which to live and work.

In April 2017, the City Corporation, Hubbub and partners from across Square Mile launched the Square Mile Challenge, resulting in half a million coffee cups being recycled in April alone, with a total of four million to date. The campaign raised awareness in London and across the UK of the impact of coffee cup litter on the environment.

ENDS

Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Location of water fountains*

• Carter Lane – nr Information Centre
• Cheapside – nr Foster Lane
• Monument Street – nr Pudding Lane
• Festival Gardens – nr St Pauls Churchyard
• Middlesex Street – nr St Botolph Street
• St Lawrence Jewry Memorial Fountain (Historic) – Carter Lane/Peter Hill

About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.