Flourishing Things: Water Bottle Refilling Stations

It is well understood that single use plastic water bottles have a negative effect on the environment. Although the packaging indicates that the bottles can be recycled, in reality only a small percentage of plastic bottles contain recycled material. It is cheaper for manufacturers to produce new plastic instead. The majority of recycled plastic is used in products other than water bottles such as carpets and textiles. This is an issue because once plastic is used in these types of products it generally can’t be recycled again. What happens to the plastic water bottles that aren’t recycled? They end up in landfills and oceans where they take hundreds of years to break down into microplastics that have the ability to pollute the environment and harm wildlife.

Due to the harms caused by single use plastic bottles, people are opting for reusable water bottles instead. Reusable water bottles come in all shapes and sizes and can be made from durable plastic, glass, and stainless steel. Carrying a reusable water bottle helps you reduce your waste and stay hydrated all day long. An issue might arise, however, if you don’t have access to a water fountain or the closest water fountains appear to be unsanitary.

The introduction of water bottle filling stations has provided public spaces with an easy, clean, and automated option for filling your reusable bottles! One of the main advantages of a water bottle filling station is that no contact is necessary. Simply hold your bottle straight underneath the sensor and let the machine do the work. Additionally, these stations use filters to ensure that the water is free from contaminants such as lead and chlorine. This function is crucial, as the United Nations General Assembly declared access to clean water and sanitation a human right in 2010. Make sure to carry a reusable bottle and make use of water bottle filling stations wherever possible. Can you advocate for a water bottle filling station at your workplace, a local institution or community centre?

9 Reasons Bottle Filling Stations Should Replace Every Drinking Fountain

Human Rights to Water and Sanitation – United Nations