A SCHEME which asks cafes and restaurants to fill up residents’ water bottles will launch in Colchester ahead of Earth Day next month.

Refill Colchester will be introduced on April 20 as a joint venture between Rowhedge’s Anna Appleyard, Anglian Water and Colchester Council.

It is hoped the scheme will reduce the widespread damage caused by single-use plastic bottles as highlighted in David Attenborough’s Blue Planet 2.

If successful in the town centre, Colchester Council has said it will be rolled out across the borough.

Anna said: “When I think back to my grandparents’ generation, the butcher put their meat in paper whereas everything now is wrapped in plastic.

“I wasn’t aware before the documentary that it takes plastic 450 years to decompose and it’s wrong we use so much.

“My parents used to recycle back in the Seventies and it was a fun thing to do.

“To go to the bottle bank with my dad was a fun day out and I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.”

But somewhere along the way, Anna says society has lost its way.

The Refill movement began in Bristol where hundreds of businesses have signed up since it launched in 2015.

It also includes a mobile app which lets people locate their nearest refill point.

Anna, an East Donyland parish councillor, describes it as a “win-win” as businesses will inevitably get more customers too.

But to make Refill happen, volunteers are needed to liaise with businesses and help run a stall at the Zero Waste Expo at Firstsite on April 22.

Colchester Council has already volunteered zone wardens to get businesses on board.

She said: “I think it will be really good for Colchester to show we’re environmentally aware.

“There are councillors trying to think of ways to reduce plastic at the town hall and other council buildings so hopefully these initiatives will have a snowball effect.

“It’s also a short term and cheaper solution ahead of being able to get our water fountains running again.”

Stamping out plastic remains high on Colchester Council's agenda.

Waste boss Jessica Scott-Boutell received unanimous support for her motion last year to lobby central government on reducing non-recyclable and non-biodegradable materials used in packaging. 

Speaking at last week's cabinet meeting, she said part of the solution was to keep improving our recycling rates and to encourage businesses to reduce single-use plastic consumption.

However, Green party campaigner Mark Goacher raised concerns of the public not being clued up on which plastics are recyclable, before quizzing councillors on whether they knew the percentage of our recycled waste which is actually recycled.

Merging heritage with sustainability also sparked the bright idea to have a water fountain in the shape of warrior Queen Boadicea.

He said: “Something like this is a publicity stunt but will get people using it, especially if it’s linked to heritage in an amusing way.”

Councillor Mike Lilley (Lab) is also keen for the town’s water fountains to be up and running again.

He said some of the challenges are ensuring the fountains are plumbed in and are safe to drink from.

Leave a message for Anna Appleyard by contacting the East Donyland parish council on 01206 729200 or emailing info@eastdonylandpc.co.uk.

Go to the Zero Waste Colchester Facebook page, here.