Organisations in Swindon are joining forces on World Refill Day to help reduce the amount of plastic pollution.

The awareness event comes as fears grow about its contribution to the climate crisis, the suffering it causes animals and the way it making its way into our bodies through the air we breathe and the food we eat.

Refill Swindon is relaunching at the Swindon Hub on World Refill Day (June 16) with a new organising team, including Swindon borough councillor Jane Milner-Barry, Plastic Free Swindon co-ordinator Ben Bell and Andy Waylen, who works for the Net Zero Team for Business West, the organisation who helped create Go Green in Bristol.

A poll for City to Sea shows that 95 per cent of people surveyed said they were concerned about plastic pollution while 90 per cent are taking steps to reduce their single-use plastic, with 41 per cent saying they would like to do more.

Crucially 93 per cent of people surveyed said they would like to see more refill and reuse options available. This way of shopping leaves a good taste in the mouth with 74 per cent people indicating that refilling makes them feel more positive (33 per cent) or like they’re making a difference (41 per cent).

But the same research also shows that sustainability has fallen down the priority list for consumers, with cost now coming out on top; 48 per cent of Brits report changing where they shop or what they buy in the last six months, and 60 per cent saying they now prioritise cost over any other criteria. But the amount of plastic consumers feel forced to buy as they feel the pinch is leaving them feeling frustrated (31 per cent), powerless (21 per cent), and sad (13 per cent).

Refill Swindon is mindful of these challenges and is working to grow the scheme locally.

There are now over 60 local refill stations. The current levels of inequality make it very difficult for smaller businesses to thrive, which often negatively impacts the environment.

Inequality and the global food system are linked to levels of waste.

Keep Swindon Tidy organiser Karen Leggett explained: "Around 70 per cent of the litter we collect is plastic: sandwich packets, plastic cutlery, cake and biscuit trays but mostly, plastic bottles, takeaway packaging (drinks cups, sauce pots, wrappers etc) and bags, all still in pristine condition, so no sign of rotting away.

"Plastic stays in the soil for years, stops plants from growing, and makes it harder for wildlife to make homes and forage.

"It doesn’t take much to reduce plastic use. A reusable drinks bottle and bag are a good start!"