New Water Refill Station installed at Lagan Valley Island
June 4, 2021
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has launched a new water bottle refill station to help visitors and Lagan Tow Path users to reduce their single use plastic consumption.
This initiative supports NI Water’s Refillution campaign which encourages individuals to commit to refilling a reusable water bottle with tap water reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles.
The refill station is located behind the Professor Pantridge statue at the Civic Headquarters in Lisburn.
Speaking about the launch, Chairman of Environmental Services, Councillor Nathan Anderson, said:
“We are delighted to launch our new refill station at Lagan Valley Island. We recently signed the ‘Live Here Love Here’ Plastic Promise and this initiative is part of our ongoing commitment, to reduce the consumption of single use plastic bottles in the council area. We want to encourage individuals to use a refillable bottle instead.
“Northern Ireland uses 145 million single use plastic bottles every year. Across the UK, 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are used each year, with the average person now using 150 plastic water bottles every year – that’s more than 3 a week. Many are discarded, and end up polluting our rivers and seas. Staggeringly if just 1 in 10 refilled just once a week, we would save around 340 million plastic bottles a year.
“Over the next few months, the Council is planning to expand this initiative to other Council facilities and updates will be posted online at www.lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk/refill. We would like to encourage all individuals to pack a reusable bottle and stay hydrated at our new water station when visiting or exercising in the local area. You’ll not only save money, but also cut down on plastic pollution and help protect the environment.”
The Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Nicholas Trimble, said:
“Lisburn & Castlereagh City council is committed to reducing plastic waste and single-use consumption. Every bottle refilled means one less plastic bottle potentially ending up in our oceans and less litter in our community.
“Together we can help drive down our carbon footprint, by refilling a reusable bottle with tap water. Bottled water is 900 times more carbon-intensive than tap water. Our drinking water is 99% pure in Northern Ireland and we want everyone in our council area to benefit from it.”
Pat McCauley Education Officer for Northern Ireland Water said:
“Since the launch of our Refillution campaign in May 2019, we have been working with NI Councils to improve the local environment. We are thrilled that Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council is supporting our campaign with the launch of their new water station.
“We look forward to working closely with the Council as they expand this initiative, together we can all play a part to reduce plastic waste in Northern Ireland. To find out more information and how to get involved, visit www.niwater.com/refillution.”
Follow the campaign on social media at #Jointherefillution #Refillution @niwnews @JoinRefillution.
