British shops, cafes and businesses are to offer free water refill points for customers in every major city and town in England by 2021.
Users will be able to use an app to locate the nearest refill point, reports The Guardian, and signs will be posted in the windows of participating shops and businesses.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Hospitality conglomerate Whitbread has already signed up, pledging to provide free drinking water for customers and passers-by in each of its 3,000 Costa Coffee shops and Premier Inn hotels from March this year.
Water UK’s chief executive, Michael Roberts, said the industry wants to “help turn this harmful tide of plastic waste”.
-
Israel Defense Forces' manpower problemThe Explainer Israeli military's shortage of up to 12,000 troops results in call-up for tens of thousands of reservists
-
Quiz of The Week: 16 – 22 AugustQuiz Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
-
Can Soho House get its edge back?Talking Point The private members' club has lost its exclusive appeal – but a £2 billion buy-out could offer a fresh start
-
The worst coral bleaching event breaks recordsThe Explainer Bleaching has now affected 84% of the world's coral reefs
-
Anti-anxiety drug has a not-too-surprising effect on fishUnder the radar The fish act bolder and take more risks
-
Why the Earth's water cycle is under threatUnder The Radar Disturbances in the system that moves water around the world place more than half of global food production at risk
-
Why beaches are closing across the countryThe Explainer Step away from the water!
-
The water war between the US and MexicoThe Explainer A conflict is flowing down the river
-
Why is Mexico City running out of water?Today's Big Question Climate change and bad planning bring on 'Day Zero'
-
The US is facing a groundwater crisisUnder the radar Stress is high as water runs low
-
Why are ocean waves getting bigger?The Explainer Damaged coastlines and stronger storms are in our future
