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Water company Hafren Dyfrdwy is set to launch a new Refill scheme in parts of Wales which will see people able to fill up reusable water bottles for free.

The company has teamed up with the Welsh Government and founding organisation City to Sea to rollout the scheme which will increase the availability of quality drinking water when people are out and about.

Its first ‘action day’, led by a team of volunteers who will be out signing up businesses such as pubs, restaurants and cafes, will take place in Wrexham on Tuesday 13th November.

The Refill Scheme allows people to fill up reusable water bottles at businesses which are signed up to the initiative. Businesses simply display the Refill window sticker to let passers-by know they can fill up for free and a smartphone app is also available which maps out Refill station locations.

Louise Moir from Hafren Dyfrdwy, said: “It’s a brilliant milestone to be launching the Refill scheme alongside our partners in Wrexham.“As well as making access to tap water easier, Refill is a brilliant way to reduce plastic pollution and cut the amount of bottles ending up in Welsh rivers, canals and landfill sites. We reckon the Refill Scheme will cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year across the UK.

“Our action day in Wrexham is about getting businesses of all sizes involved. We hope as many as possible become Refill stations as they won’t only be helping the public stay happy and hydrated, but will also play a role in curbing the number of plastic bottles.”

Hannah Blythyn, Environment Minister, explains why the Welsh Government are supporting: Refill. She added: “Making drinking water more available through the Refill Scheme is a really simple way to cut down on single-use plastics and is much better for the environment. I want Wales to be the world’s first ‘Refill Nation’, so it’s really good to see Wrexham joining the scheme.”

Natalie Fee, who founded City to Sea in 2015, the organisation which is the driving force behind the Refill Scheme, said: “Refill puts the power to stop plastic pollution in people's hands - it's a fantastically easy way to reduce your plastic consumption and save money at the same time. Businesses can add themselves to the app too and help create the wave of change needed to keep plastic bottles out of our oceans.”

The Refill app can be downloaded for free on Google Play or the App Store.