Water top-up taps across Lanarkshire have helped saved the equivalent of one million single-use plastic bottles.
In a major boost to the country’s efforts to reduce litter including discarded plastic, members of the public have tapped into Scotland’s water supply when out and about to help the planet, stay hydrated and save money.
Park-goers in Calderglen Country Park in East Kilbride, Strathclyde Country Park, and Drumpellier in Coatbridge have used the taps to quench their thirst.
And there are now 60 distinctive, bright blue taps installed throughout the country in parks, town and city centres, beachfronts, woodlands and visitor hotspots.
The first was switched on outside the Scottish Parliament in 2018 and more will be installed over the coming 18 months.
The taps provide free public mains supply water – and digitally log how much water is used as people fill up at the touch of a button.
The tap roll-out is part of the Your Water Your Life campaign which celebrates the qualities of Scotland’s water – and encourage people to think about protecting the environment and their own health at the same time.
Douglas Millican, Scottish Water chief executive, said: “It’s easy to enjoy our nation’s tap water in the home – but when people are out and about, we want them to be able to stay refreshed.
"It’s great that so many people have used the taps, saving the equivalent of one million single-use plastic bottles.
"Thank you to everyone who fills up from a public water tap with a refillable bottle.”
Lorna Neilson, who has led the Scottish Water team behind the taps, said: “The connection between communities and their taps – and the recognition of doing something positive for themselves and the environment - has been amazing.
There’s a real team effort involved from planning through to switch-on and we’ve often worked with community groups to identify locations. Scotland should be very proud to have achieved this sustainability milestone.”
Welcoming the announcement Lorna Slater, Minister for green skills, circular economy and biodiversity, said: “The proliferation of single-use plastic is severely impacting our environment and contributing to climate change.
"This initiative from Scottish Water has a direct impact on the reduction of plastic waste whilst helping people stay hydrated and healthy."
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