THE battle to stop the tide of plastic engulfing the world is continuing in Falmouth with the installation of the first water refill facility in the town centre.

The point was installed outside the town hall by Suez Recycling and Recovery UK working with Kirstie Edwards and members of Plastic Free Falmouth who are trying to help create a better and cleaner environment in Cornwall.

Kirstie Edwards said: "It is with real pleasure that we see this project completed for the people of Falmouth," she said. "We are incredibly grateful to Natalie Chard and her team at SUEZ for their belief in what we are trying to achieve, alongside all the work and ongoing support from Falmouth Town Council to make these projects happen. This kind of project demonstrates the power and importance of community collaborative action. By working closely with local councils, businesses and residents we can all effect real, on the ground, positive change in our towns.’

Started over three years ago, Plastic Free Falmouth is a collaboration of individuals within the local community, businesses and the town council to stop the needless pollution of our world’s waterways with plastic, in particular single-use. The group have already worked hard to install water fountains along the sea front for residents and visitors to use and were one of the first towns in the UK, working with the local council, to produce a plastic free charter that businesses agree to, in order to get a licence to trade.

James Cocks, site manager at Pool materials recycling facility, who helped coordinate the project with Natalie Chard, the Senior Community Liaison Manager for SUEZ, was pleased to finally see the fountain installed. He said: “Plastic pollution is an issue that affects the environment and all parts of society, it’s great to see a Cornish community working together to help keep our coast lines so beautiful.”