As part of on an ongoing project funded by Cardiff & Vale Health Charity, two new water refill stations have been installed at St. David’s Hospital for patients, visitors and staff to fill up their reusable water bottles for free. These new units are located in the main atrium of the hospital, and within the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services area.
As with our initial machine installed at Barry Hospital, the water station located in the main atrium area will also be linked to the Refill Scheme App which enables the local community to fill up their reusable water bottles for free. This machine won’t be available to the public via the App until current lockdown restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so.
Research has shown that the average adult buys more than three plastic water bottles every week – a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste ending up in the oceans.
In June 2020 the Health Charity installed a water refill station at Barry Hospital which to date has re-filled almost 4000 bottles, even during the pandemic when footfall at the hospital has been considerably reduced.
Local Champion Sue Dickson-Davies from Cardiff & Vale Health Charity who has been leading on this project at St. David’s and Barry Hospital explains more about this project.
“The installation of the water refill station at Barry Hospital has proved so popular with staff and visitors to the site, and we have received fabulous feedback and requests for similar water machines across the Health Board. We are working towards installing refill stations situated in key areas as part of an ongoing commitment to reduce the use of single-use plastic bottles, which are now the most frequently found type of litter in our streets, green spaces and beaches.
“These refill stations give us all the opportunity to help make this type of litter a thing of the past at the same time as saving money. Don’t forget to bring your reusable bottle and fill it up!”
Dr Suzanne Wood, Consultant in Public Health Medicine said: “Promoting healthy hydration is a key priority of our partnership plan to support people across Cardiff and the Vale to move more and eat well. We are therefore really pleased that the two new water stations at St. David’s Hospital are helping to improve access to drinking water.
“Staying hydrated is important to keep our bodies healthy and water is a great choice for hydration as its free, calorie free and kind to your teeth.”
Find out more about our ongoing projects, please visit at www.healthcharity.wales
Visit the Refill website at www.refill.org.uk to download the free Refill App and find out more about the Refill movement.