Swindon organisations join in with World Refill Day action

People within various organisations in Swindon are coming together to join in with World Refill Day, drawing attention to plastic waste and pollution.

Refill Swindon is an award winning campaign aiming to help the community live with less waste.

The community organisation's goal is to connect people to places they can eat, drink and shop without plastic packaging in Swindon.

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The current levels of inequality make it very difficult for smaller businesses to thrive, which often negatively impacts the environment."

Refill Swindon say exclusive new polling for City to Sea shows that 95% of people surveyed said they were concerned about plastic pollution while 90% are taking steps to reduce their single use plastic, with 41% saying they would like to do more.

The community organisation also found that 93% of people surveyed said they would like to see more refill and reuse options available. This way of shopping leaves a good taste in the mouth with 74% people indicating that refilling makes them feel more positive (33%) or like they’re making a difference (41%).

However, Refill Swindon said the same research also shows that sustainability has fallen down the priority list for consumers, with cost now coming out on top; 48% of Brits report changing where they shop or what they buy in the last six months, and 60% saying they now prioritise cost over any other criteria.

In addition, the community organisation found the amount of plastic consumers feel forced to buy as they feel the pinch, is leaving them feeling frustrated (31%), powerless (21%), and sad (13%).

Refill Swindon say they are mindful of these challenges and are working to grow the scheme locally. There are now over 60 local Refill stations.

Refill Swindon go on to explain the importance of reducing plastic waste: "Plastic is polluting our planet, contributing to the climate crisis, causing suffering for animals, and even making its way into our bodies through the air we breathe and food we eat."

Evan Costello of Swindon Pulse Wholefoods said: “We have supported the reuse of plastics, glass jars and various other packaging since 1976. We offer a wide range of our wholefood products such as grains, beans, pasta, flakes, seeds and nuts as well as all of our household cleaning products as refill items, weighed and sold on request to customers.

"Our aim is to provide a zero waste solution to our local community whilst also offering the highest quality organic produce to aid those who are thinking consciously about their consumption and allowing them to contribute to the reduction in their needless waste.”

The Refill Swindon team say inequality and the global food system are linked to levels of waste.

Keep Swindon Tidy organiser Karen Leggett explains: “Around 70% of the litter we collect is plastic: sandwich packets, plastic cutlery, cake and biscuit trays but mostly, plastic bottles, takeaway packaging (drinks cups, sauce pots, wrappers etc) and bags, all still in pristine condition, so no sign of rotting away. 

"Plastic stays in the soil for years, stops plants from growing, and makes it harder for wildlife to make homes and forage. It doesn’t take much to reduce plastic use.  A reusable drinks bottle and bag are a good start!”

Refill Swindon have identified that the top five plastic polluters are Coca Cola, Pepsico, Unilever, Nestle, and P&G. The community organisation have written an open letter to them asking for urgent changes to reduce their plastic production.

Refill Swindon are relaunching at the Swindon Hub on World Refill Day, with a new organising team.

• Andy Waylen works for the Net Zero Team for Business West, the organisation who helped create Go Green in Bristol.
• Swindon Borough Councillor Jane Milner-Barry is the Shadow Spokesperson for Sustainability.
• Ben Bell is the Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator.

The Refill team say: "Let’s work to end toxic single-use. We urge all in Swindon, choose to reuse this World Refill Day!"

More information can be found on Refill Swindon's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RefillSwindon