20
March
2019
|
09:21
Europe/London

Plastic Free City: first of 10 new water refill points unveiled in Square Mile

The first of 10 new City water refill points to be rolled out this year has been installed in Bow Churchyard Cheapside, as part of the City Corporation’s Plastic Free City campaign.

The water refill point, sponsored by the Cheapside Business Alliance (CBA), comes as 43 business across the Square Mile joined the City Corporation’s war on single-use plastic waste. Together, these 43 companies employ over 61,704 people.

149 of the City’s pubs, bars, cafes and restaurants have also become part of a network of water bottle refill stations, where the public can refill reusable water bottles – all found on the Refill app.

The campaign is a rallying call to businesses and individuals to reduce single-use plastics across the Square Mile.

It will see nine more City water refill points installed this year near transport hubs, in parks and squares, and other areas of high footfall.

Jeremy Simons, Chair of the City of London Corporation’s Environmental Services Committee, said:

“Our ambition is to make the City of London free of single-use plastics and harness the clear desire amongst City workers, residents and visitors to eliminate their use.

“By the end of the year, we will have brought the total number of water refill points across the Square Mile to 17.

“These points are a visible demonstration of our commitment to reducing and eradicating unnecessary single-use plastics which are blighting our waterways and damaging our environment.”

Anne O’Neill, Chair of the Cheapside Business Alliance, said:

“There is no doubt that we could all do more to limit our use of single-use plastics – and reusable bottles and public water refill points are playing a vitally important role.

“This water refill point will give people in the area a place to refill and help drive down the use of disposable plastic water bottles.”

The City of London Corporation is leading by example by reducing the provision of single-use plastics across all buildings it owns, including the world-famous Barbican Centre.

Environmental projects are high on the CBA’s agenda. It has an array of restaurants within its footprint and is working in partnership with the City Corporation and collectively with its stakeholders to encourage as many businesses to sign the Plastic Free City pledge as possible.

Businesses and individuals can take the Plastic Free City pledge at www.plasticfreecity.london

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

About Cheapside Business Alliance

Cheapside has become one of the City of London’s most prestigious shopping destinations, offering visitors a fusion of contemporary shops and restaurants – transforming the area into a seven-day destination. No other shopping, business and visitor location can compare with Cheapside, set against a backdrop of one of the most historic parts of London and surrounded by world-famous landmarks

The City of London Corporation in partnership with the Cheapside Business Alliance has developed a Business Alliance which sets out how the business community works together on a number of projects which are implanted over the next five years. The business vehicle which has been implemented to enable the business alliance to work together is a Business Improvement District.

The Business Alliance is also supporting the freight consolidation programmes that the City Corporation is commissioning and have seen a reduction of deliveries coming into the footprint since last Autumn.

A Business Alliance is a geographical area in which the local businesses have voted to invest collectively to improve their environment. Services could include extra safety, cleaning or environmental measures. www.incheapside.com

Media enquires

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 07388 862 229

E carl.locsin@cityoflondon.gov.uk