Britain is embracing switch to refillable water bottles, say campaigners

Growing support from councils and firms and a culture shift over refills has changed how the country drinks

Passengers on London Underground and Manchester’s Metrolink are urged to do it. Councils from Sunderland to Norfolk, Cardiff to Hounslow want their residents to do it. Many primary schools have been asking students to do it for ages. And now a growing number of high street outlets, including Greggs, Costa Coffee and Neal’s Yard Remedies, want to make it easy to do it, wherever you are.

Happily, lots of people in Britain are way ahead of them and are doing it already – carrying a refillable water bottle, that is. Whether for reasons of economy, hygiene, an urge to keep hydrated or a concern for the environment, for many people filling up a water bottle before they step out the door is now as habitual as picking up their keys or wallet.