SHOPS and businesses in Okehampton are to be asked to display a sign inviting the public to fill up water bottles for free as part of a push to cut plastic waste.

Town councillor Sally Parkins wants businesses in the town to sign up to the Refill Devon campaign.

She told Okehampton Town Council’s meeting on Monday last week that people could join the free scheme simply at the website recycledevon.org

‘It is about any retail outlet being able to offer a service to refill bottles. If you’re interested, you register online and you stick the sticker in the window,’ she said.

‘The whole idea is to reduce plastic, and what I want to propose is that Okehampton Town Council takes the initiative itself and actually sends out a letter asking people to be part of it. That means we are not just endorsing it but actually being proactive and asking people to take part.

‘If we have got something like this going, we are going to attract people to Okehampton. People are going to say “this is a forward looking town” and want to come here.’

Councillor Tony Leech said he disliked the taste of water in refilled plastic bottles. ‘It always tastes quite foul,’ he said. He also questioned whether businesses on a water meter would be happy to give out water.

Mayor Jan Goffey asked if cafés and restaurants in the town would be prepared to refill bottles for people who were not their customers.

‘I think it is going to take a fair bit of persuasion to persuade businesses that make a profit from selling drinks to give away water,’ she said.

However, Cllr Parkins said that giving out water was a goodwill gesture which would encourage people to spend with that business.

‘I will go and have a coffee somewhere because I know they have been prepared to fill my water bottle,’ she said.

‘I appreciate what you are saying about water meters, but getting evidence that it increases footfall of customers is crucial to persuading people to take part. If they know there is an increase in footfall they will be able to see the benefits of it.”

Cllr Goffey proposed and Cllr Marsh seconded giving the proposal that the council write to businesses in the town asking them to take sign up to the scheme. All councillors agreed.