Darebin businesses offer free water refills as part of plan to cut back on plastic

The days of sneaking a drink into the cinema are over under a new plan to provide free water refills at a host of Darebin businesses. See all 45 places taking part.

Grade 5 boy Taj Lingam at The Westgarth Palace Cinema, for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. The film is Minions. Taj at The Westgarth Palace Cinema. Pictures: Angie Basdekis

Bring along a drink bottle and score free water refills at more than 40 Darebin businesses as part of a bid to encourage less plastic.

Hot spots such as the Westgarth Cinema, Northcote Social Club and Bakeshop are joining the list of 45 cafes, bars and business in Northcote, Thornbury, Brunswick and Preston to make the offer.

Those visiting the string of businesses displaying a “refillers welcome” sticker can come in and refill their water bottle for free.

The initiative is backed by Yarra Water.

The average Australian accumulates and estimated 130kg of plastic waste each year, with only 20 per cent being recycled.

Local businesses are pledging to offer free tap water to customers.

Northcote social club venue manager Emily Ferris said the program gave customers the option to help reduce their environmental footprint and ditch plastic.

“We’re constantly on the hunt for great new ways to become more environmentally friendly,” she said.

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Yarra Valley Water Managing Director and Choose Tap Advocate Pat McCafferty said that bottled water was one of the most common and expensive single-use purchases in Australia.

“By allowing people to refill their drink bottle, businesses are giving their customers an option that is not only convenient, but also cheaper and more environmentally friendly,” he said.

WHERE TO GET A FREE REFILL

Moon Rabbit

Iccha

Pausa Pranzo

Littorio’s

Barrys

Top of the Hill

Little Local

Tinker

Pizza Meine Liebe

Fort Green

Bicycle Thieves

Coffe Ink

Kau & Co

Cheeky by Nature

Souvlaki Gr

2 Latte

Capers

Ampersand Coffee & Food

Little Henry

Haytch Cafe

Lentil as Anything

Coffee Culture on Lygon

East Brunswick Hotel

Cucina 333

Noisy Ritual

Babajan on Lygon

Old Bike Shop

Coco Le

Charles Weston Hotel

Code Black Coffee

Pachamama Wholefoods

Foxtrol Charlie

Gelateria Bico

Brunsiwck Project 281

The Retreat Hotel

Marcella Cafe Bistro

Flora Legion

Mother Melbourne

Bakeshop

Café Flo

Brother Alec

Northcote Social Club

Peppercorn Cafe

Penny Farthing Espresso

Briki Cafe

@GraceMckinnonL