Scaling Refill
Increasing Public-Facing Water Bottle Refill Infrastructure across Canada
The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health estimates that on average, Canadians spend $15-20 billion on bottled water, representing approximately 2.5 billion plastic bottles. Access to water bottle refill stations can help reduce single-use plastic waste, support public health by improving access to drinking water, and strengthen resilience during extreme heat events.
With support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Pollution Probe is undertaking a research project to better understand the current landscape for public water bottle refill stations across Canada. The project will engage municipalities and communities across the country to assess the opportunities and challenges related to the installation, maintenance, and use of water bottle refill infrastructure. It will also examine consumer awareness, demand, and utilization of refill stations. Finding from the study will inform the development of a set of resources to support municipalities in installing water bottle refill stations.
With support from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Pollution Probe is undertaking a research project to better understand the current landscape for public water bottle refill stations across Canada. The project will engage municipalities and communities across the country to assess the opportunities and challenges related to the installation, maintenance, and use of water bottle refill infrastructure. It will also examine consumer awareness, demand, and utilization of refill stations. Finding from the study will inform the development of a set of resources to support municipalities in installing water bottle refill stations.
Share Your Experience!
We’re looking to connect with municipalities and communities across Canada that have experience installing or upgrading water bottle refill infrastructure. If your municipality has not yet installed stations, we would also be interested in learning about any barriers, challenges, or considerations influencing this decision. Your input will help to ensure that the tools and resources developed are practical, relevant, and directly beneficial for your municipality.
If you have suggestions for potential interviewees for this study or if you would like to receive updates on the project, please contact us at bstand@pollutionprobe.org.
