A SENIOR member of the Welsh Government has visited Llangollen to observe a plastic-free scheme in a bid to make Wales the world's first 'Refill Nation'.

Environment minister Hannah Blythin visited Llangollen to see its progress with the Refill Wales scheme, a nationwide scheme in which businesses are encouraged to welcome the public for free water refills on their premises.

The scheme, which aims to reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles used in Wales, is backed by the Welsh Government and was set up in Llangollen by Plastic Free Llangollen (PFL), a plastic-free campaign group chaired by Mair Davies.

PFL made Llangollen one of just seven towns or cities in the country signed up to the scheme and the first in north Wales.

It currently has 14 businesses taking part, including the Britannia Inn Hotel, Abbey Farm Caravan Park, White Waters Hotel & Spa, Llangollen Outdoors, The Corn Mill, Llangollen Oggie Shop, Gails Wine Bar, Cellar Door, Oak Street Coffee Shop, Vintage Rose Tearooms, m’Eating Point, Pro Adventure and Station Cafe & Bar.

Ms Blythin, who attended Llangollen on Thursday, November 15, said: “Earlier this year I set out my ambition to make Wales the world’s first ‘Refill Nation’.

“Refill schemes are a really good way to cut down on single use plastics, so the Welsh Government is investing in rolling out the scheme to communities across Wales.

“Every time someone refills a bottle rather than throws a plastic one away, we are reducing the amount of plastic that reaches the ocean.

“I’m pleased to visit towns like Llangollen to see what the local community is doing to cut down on single-use plastics.”

Ms Davies hopes Refill Llangollen will gain further popularity.

She said: “As a group we are keeping a keen eye on what's happening at Welsh Government level with extended producer responsibility and the deposit return scheme. We must all come together to help reduce the amount of waste that we produce

“There are many benefits to the scheme: increased footfall and promotion of businesses, more readily available free tap water available to the public, less social stigma around asking for free tap water, and a reduction in the amount of plastic used from bottled water consumption.

“There are also the health benefits of drinking tap water over bottled water and a reduction in littering caused by the purchase and use of bottled water.

“We are always looking for more business to sign up. We had one more last week and there's another coming soon. The more businesses that sign up the more successful the scheme will be.

“I'm enthused to see all the new businesses signing up across Wales every day.”