How Water3 Refill Stations Are Solving The Plastic Pollution Problem

Kira Simpson

There’s approximately 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

A report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, found the equivalent of a garbage truck worth of plastic bottles was being dumped into the ocean every minute.

Without change, the ocean is expected to contain more plastics than fish by 2050.

The sad fact is, we’ve developed a ‘disposable lifestyle’ mentality and our planet is paying the price.

The solution?

Prevention is better than cure and Water3 is helping make that happen.

water3 plastic pollution

“We’re all about changing habits around single use plastic bottles; providing a cleaner, and healthier alternative.”

Who are Water3?

Water3 is an Australian social enterprise which launched in 2012 by co-founders Damien Stone and Leicester Chatfield.  At the time, Damien saw little being done to combat plastic pollution from water bottles and decided to create a solution.

Water3 has developed a network of cashless water refill stations to help people access, clean, chilled water, without resorting to purchasing single use plastic bottles.

“Water3 is about challenging people’s behaviours around single use plastic bottles; providing cleaner, greener, and healthier alternative.

Each kiosk comes with the option to refill your own water bottle or purchase a 500ml Water3 bottle (pictured below). The Water3 bottles are double-walled vacuum sealed and insulated stainless steel, so the liquid inside remains cold (or hot) for up to twelve hours.

Each bottle features an RFID chip (contactless payment technology) in the lid, linked to your account (created on the Water3 site or app) so you just swipe the bottle and payment is automatically deducted. Alternatively, you can use your own bottle and pay via paywave.

Currently Water3 kiosks are only available in South-East Queensland but they plan to expand globally throughout 2018.

Step one

Open the Water3 app (Android and Apple) and enter your location to find the nearest Water3 refill station.

water3 plastic pollution

water3 plastic pollutionStep two

Select byo bottle or purchase a Water3 bottle. Choose still or sparkling and your bottle size.

water3 plastic pollution

Step three

Scan the RFID chip in the lid or use paywave for byo bottles.

water3 plastic pollution

 

“Every time you fill up at a Water3 refill station, you are positively impacting our planet.”

Step four

Place the bottle in the refill station and wait for it to fill up.

Step five

Remove the bottle and enjoy your lovely cold, plastic free water!

water3 plastic pollution

 

water3 plastic pollution

More info about Water3 and how to create an account here.

Kira Simpson

Kira Simpson is an environmentalist and sustainability expert. She started The Green Hub as a blog in 2015, which has since grown to become one of Australia’s largest education sites dedicated to helping people live a more sustainable lifestyle.