Network of bottle refill stations in City of London planned in war on single-use plastic straws

City chiefs today stepped up the war on single-use plastic with plans for a network of bottle refill stations in pubs, restaurants, bars and cafes across the Square Mile.

The outlets are being encouraged to register as water refill sites, allowing thirsty shoppers, tourists and City workers to find them using an app. Businesses are also being urged to pledge to cut their use of plastic items such as straws, bottles and cups.

Dozens more drinking fountains are set to be installed around the financial district, in parks, retail squares and near transport hubs. This forms part of the Plastic Free City initiative, which aims to stop thousands of plastic bottles being thrown away every week.

Jeremy Simons, chairman of the City of London Corporation’s environment committee, said: “The impact of single-use plastics on both littering and marine life cannot be ignored. We must aim to eliminate their use.

“These plans are at an early stage but Plastic Free City will harness the clear public desire for change and reduce the impact that single-use plastics are having on our environment.”

The corporation is responsible for keeping the Square Mile clean and is also London’s port health authority. A total of 450,000 people work in the area and 9,400 live there.

Four million coffee cups have been recycled under the Square Mile Challenge, launched last April, and the corporation has also led action to tackle the capital’s toxic air crisis.