Guernsey Press

Destiny, 11, on a refillable mission at island’s beach kiosks

AN 11-year old has launched a scheme with the States and Guernsey Water to reduce plastic waste through identifying cafes and kiosks who are happy to refill water bottles free of charge.

Published
Pic by Adrian Miller 21-06-18 Surfside Kiosk Port Soif Vale Launch of new initiative idea to have refill stations around the island to reduce the amount of plastic bottles. The idea came from Destiny Hollyer-Hill 11 nearest the camera, standing behind her l,r are Elke Schimek manager of kiosk, Phil Marquis Guernsey Water, Tina Norman-Ross recycling officer, Deputy Barry Brehaut from E&I and Laura Havard from Plastic Free Guernsey. (21792925)

After taking part in regular beach cleans with her family, Destiny Hollyer-Hill noticed that there was a growing problem with the number of plastic bottles they found.

Currently attending Capelles Primary School, Destiny was home-schooled for a time last year and it was then that she decided then to embark on the project.

‘I had asked at the kiosk one day if they would fill my bottle up with water and they did but my mum was a bit embarrassed. It’s about getting people to know where they can get their bottles filled up,’ she said.

As part of her project Destiny researched the Refill UK initiative which aims to make refillable water stations more prevalent and visible across the country.

With the help of her auntie, Vanessa Crispini-Adams of the environmental awareness group the Pollinator Project, Destiny was able to approach the Committee for Environment & Infrastructure to present her plan.

‘I emailed all the cafes and have a list of 18 who agreed to get involved,’ she said.

The documents were compiled into a folder and presented to the entire committee by Destiny herself, it was then taken on by the States’ Supervisory Trading Board as it was in line with the island’s Waste Strategy.

Guernsey Water have also provided the 300 posters which will alert cafe and kiosk users that they are involved in the scheme.

Income and liaisons manager Phil Marquis said it was a natural fit for the utility to assist with the project.

‘I got interested when the young lady decided to get involved. We have noticed recently there has been an increase in plastic pollution in the reservoir so we fully support it. It gives people the opportunity to be able to choose not to use plastic, this is something that is a simple idea and some of the best ideas are,’ he said.

Port Soif Surfside kiosk manager Elke Schimek said the business was growing its ecological conscience and that customers need not feel they have to buy something in order to have their water bottles filled up.

‘The environmental side of the business is getting more important. We have corn starch and bamboo containers and cups and biodegradable straws as well,’ she said.

Posters will soon be displayed in the compliant businesses around the island, they will also be visible on City to Sea an app for mobile devices which shows the locations involved nationwide.