Hertsmere Borough Council is calling on businesses to sign up to a Refill Scheme to combat single-use plastic and water wastage, in support of World Refill Day.

As part of the council’s commitment to tackling climate change, officers will be out and about in the borough visiting local businesses to encourage them to join a new Refill Scheme in Hertsmere.

The Refill Scheme works by connecting people with locations where they can refill their reusable water bottle.

Councillor Caroline Clapper, deputy leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, said: "A motion declaring a climate emergency and pledging to ensure Hertsmere Borough Council achieves net-zero carbon emissions no later than 2050 was unanimously backed by all 39 members in 2019.

"Our officers have been working hard on schemes, services and policies that work towards this aim. The new Refill Scheme is one part of that commitment.

"The aim is to make life with less waste, easier. Participating businesses simply sign up to the app and put a sticker in their window alerting passers-by that they’re welcome to come in and get a refill.

"Not only is this a great scheme to reduce the use of single-use plastic, but also helps local businesses show their commitment to reducing waste, supporting their local communities and encouraging people in to their business.

"I encourage local businesses to support the scheme and residents to download the Refill app to join in with the effort, helping to protect our precious environment one refill at a time."

World Refill Day was marked today (June 16) and the public can show their continued support for the event by switching from single-use to a reusable bottle.

To find out more about the Refill Scheme, to sign your business up or to download the app, visit www.refill.org.uk.