Manchester Airport passengers can now refill water bottles for free at all its bars, cafes and restaurants

Manchester Airport has signed up to a national scheme called Refill, which means that passengers can refill their water bottles at any of the 33 outlets across the airport’s three terminals.

This is in addition to water fountains that are already located in both arrivals and the departure lounges at the airport, which is the largest outside London.

With 7.7 billion plastic water bottles bought across the UK each year, the initiative, which is backed by local water company United Utilities, aims to reduce the amount of single use plastic waste.

“As the airport gears up for its busiest ever summer we know that many passengers are now travelling through with their own water bottles,” says Mike Ward, head of retail at Manchester Airport.  

“This scheme will make it even easier for them to fill up and ensure they’re staying hydrated for their flights.”

Refill is one of several campaigns from City to Sea, the not-for-profit organisation running campaigns to prevent marine plastic pollution.

With over 16,000 free tap water Refill Stations across the UK and many more popping up overseas, it is estimated that the scheme will cut plastic bottle use by tens of millions each year.

“Rolling out Refill in Manchester Airport is really going to help the campaign for reusables to take off, with many travellers opting to take their own bottles and cups when travelling,” said Sarah Irving from Refill.

“The aim of the campaign is to normalise using a reusable bottle so the support from such highly populated places like airports is a great way to get more people on board, making it easier to reuse on the go whether at home or abroad.”

Water UK is supporting the national roll-out of the Refill Scheme, alongside local water companies, with the aim of having tens of thousands of Refill Stations in every major city and town in England by 2021.