Thirty Aberystwyth businesses have signed up to the Refill tap water scheme.

Local volunteers for the UK-wide scheme are encouraging bars, restaurants, cafés and others to put a sticker in their window and add their business to the Refill app, letting people know they’re welcome to fill up their water bottle for free.

The businesses signed up to the scheme following a day of action by volunteers on Saturday, 16 February.

City to Sea, a not-for-profit organisation headed by entrepreneur Natalie Fee, launched the award-winning Refill scheme in 2015.

It is now being rolled out nationwide with the full support of the Welsh government and water companies Dwr Cymru and Hafren Dyfrdwy.

Richard Steele is launching Refill Aberystwyth as part of the town’s Plastic Free campaign.

“In a coastal town like Aberystwyth, the plastic waste crisis we face globally is impossible to ignore,” he said.

“Refill Aberystwyth gives us all the opportunity to help make this type of litter a thing of the past, and save money.

“It’s good business sense as well, as people who pop in for a water top up are likely to feel good about the business and come back and buy something.”

Emma Riddiough, manager of Coffee#1, one of the first businesses to sign up to the scheme, said: “As a business and individuals we’re keen to help protect our environment and reduce plastic waste as much as possible.

“We’ve just received an award for our efforts to go plastic free, so becoming a Refill station made total sense.

“It’s fantastic to see such progressive ideas coming to fruition locally and a pleasure to support them.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition on Wednesday