The UK could save 1.4 billion plastic bottles a year with a 5p levy - so is it time for action?

Moving towards a culture of reuse and refill is now urgent, so we want to understand the potential barriers and motivations behind actions we can all take and see if there is support for serious action on cutting down plastic production and waste. The results were clear – more than two fifths of Brits (41%) said a 5p levy would discourage them from buying plastic bottled water, potentially saving 1.4 billion plastic bottles from being bought and discarded every year.

This year we have seen some promising steps in plastic-related policies – such as banning certain single-use plastic items – and governments around the world are working on a global treaty on plastic pollution which will drive crucial legislation. We’ve also seen how successful levies have been on other environmentally damaging items, such as coffee cups and single-use plastic bags, the latter of which has seen a 98% reduction in use since coming into force. Globally, the use of our products reduces the number of plastic bottles in circulation. And with the help of our Product Impact KPI, we know that in 2022 alone, we helped our customers avoid the use of over 5 billion water bottles! Since then, we have launched the first products with sustainable materials - for example, our new MAXTRA PRO cartridge with bio-based plastic, or the new water filter jugs made from glass. With our packaging, we have been able to save huge amounts of material through innovative solutions including ship in container and with our professional filter and dispenser products our customers can enjoy filtered water in the workplace and out and about.

Helping enable behaviour change must remain a priority for policymakers as we look to 2024 and beyond. With this in mind, it is time for the Government to step up and find innovative ways to shift our drinking habits away from the plastic bottles and towards the tap.