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Selfridges bans plastic water bottles in oceans conservation initiative Selfridges bans plastic water bottles in oceans conservation initiative
(35 minutes later)
Selfridges is to rid its stores of all single use plastic water bottles as part of a campaign to reduce pollution of the oceans. Selfridges is to rid its stores of all single-use plastic water bottles as part of a campaign to reduce pollution of the oceans.
Instead, the department store is encouraging customers to bring their own water bottles to fill at a newly-opened traditional drinking fountain in its London food hall.Instead, the department store is encouraging customers to bring their own water bottles to fill at a newly-opened traditional drinking fountain in its London food hall.
The initiative, part of an ongoing partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Marine Reserves Coalition (MRC), aims to reduce plastic waste and help facilitate a change in behaviour around the use of plastic.The initiative, part of an ongoing partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Marine Reserves Coalition (MRC), aims to reduce plastic waste and help facilitate a change in behaviour around the use of plastic.
Selfridges said it sold around 400,000 single use plastic water bottles a year through its food halls and restaurants. Selfridges said it sold around 400,000 single-use plastic water bottles a year through its food halls and restaurants.
Related: Full scale of plastic in the world's oceans revealed for first timeRelated: Full scale of plastic in the world's oceans revealed for first time
Selfridges Group deputy chairman Alannah Weston said: “The Selfridges Project Ocean campaign is one which is very close to my heart and our business.Selfridges Group deputy chairman Alannah Weston said: “The Selfridges Project Ocean campaign is one which is very close to my heart and our business.
“With our latest initiative we aim to drive awareness of the serious threat plastic poses to our oceans, in particular single use plastic water bottles.“With our latest initiative we aim to drive awareness of the serious threat plastic poses to our oceans, in particular single use plastic water bottles.
“We will be encouraging people to think twice about their use of plastic water bottles, which ultimately end up as waste destroying our precious oceans.”“We will be encouraging people to think twice about their use of plastic water bottles, which ultimately end up as waste destroying our precious oceans.”
ZSL director of conservation programmes, Professor Jonathan Baillie, said: “The staggering volume of plastic entering our oceans every year is having a devastating effect on our marine wildlife, from tiny corals to great whales.ZSL director of conservation programmes, Professor Jonathan Baillie, said: “The staggering volume of plastic entering our oceans every year is having a devastating effect on our marine wildlife, from tiny corals to great whales.
“No matter where plastic litter originates, once it reaches the ocean it becomes a planetary problem as it is carried by ocean currents.“No matter where plastic litter originates, once it reaches the ocean it becomes a planetary problem as it is carried by ocean currents.
Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said:Greenpeace UK executive director John Sauven said:
“The impact on wildlife, the environment and the potential harm to human health are only now becoming abundantly clear. The actions taken by Selfridges to raise awareness about the plastic in our oceans is a courageous step that other retailers need to urgently follow.”“The impact on wildlife, the environment and the potential harm to human health are only now becoming abundantly clear. The actions taken by Selfridges to raise awareness about the plastic in our oceans is a courageous step that other retailers need to urgently follow.”