Celebrating World Refill Day with Policy Wins and Ocean Friendly Programs

June 16th is World Refill Day, and here at Surfrider, we promote using sustainable and equitable refillable systems every day. From our Ocean Friendly Programs to our policy work, here are ways that Surfrider is working to create a world where fewer disposable plastics are produced and used.

Why Refill Wins

If your bathtub is overflowing, what’s the first thing you do? You don’t grab a towel or a mop – you turn off the tap! In order to stop the current flow of plastic from polluting our ocean, waves, and beaches, we must tackle plastic pollution at the source. This includes banning unnecessary single-use plastics, advocating for better product alternatives, and of course, switching to reusables whenever possible.

Reusables, when adequately reused, are better than single-use alternatives in almost every environmental measure, including climate, water, waste, and pollution. Plus, a recent study proves that reusables are safe, despite the plastic industry’s efforts to falsely claim the opposite. Large companies such as PepsiCo and Coca Cola are even backtracking their reuse targets. With about 11 million tons of plastic entering the ocean every year, now more than ever, it is important to reuse and refill.

Surfrider NYC Chapter passed an ordinance allowing people to bring their reusable beverage containers in sports venues.

Reducing Reuse Barriers Through Policy

Overall, reuse lacks a system-wide infrastructure that makes it easy for consumers to choose to reuse. Surfrider’s working to reduce these barriers and make reuse mainstream through policy. Over the past years, we’ve made strides in various states to:

• Install more water refill stations: The New York City (NYC) Chapter is working on passing a policy that would require the city to install 500 new public drinking water fountains by 2030. 
• Incentivize reusable packaging: Surfrider Chapters in Washington just passed the Washington Recycling Reform Act (WRRA) that establishes recycling and reuse targets for producers, and incentivizes reusable packaging materials.
• Make it easier for customers to bring refillable bags and containers: Surfrider Chapters in Oregon helped pass a law that creates a process using the state’s Health Code to allow consumers to use reusable produce bags and bulk containers in retail establishments.

The OFR Program urges restaurants to offer discounts to customers that bring reusable containers. 

Showcasing the Benefits of Reuse With Ocean Friendly Businesses

Surfrider’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants and Ocean Friendly Hotels Program helps businesses reduce unnecessary single-use plastic and make more sustainable choices for the ocean. To become Ocean Friendly, restaurants must serve reusables for onsite dining, and hotels must ditch the mini toiletry bottles and replace them with large, refillable containers. Hotels must also provide water refill stations for guests, and we urge restaurants to offer a discount to customers bringing reusable containers. 

Our Ocean Friendly Businesses showcase that reuse is not only better for our coasts and ocean, but better for business, too:

• Channel Islands Juice Co. in Ventura, CA saves between $900-2,000 by running a bottle return program after reaching their break-even point. 
• Mitch’s Seafood in San Diego, CA saves over $4,000 a year by switching from disposable ramekins and cups to reusables. 
• Flying Fish Co. in Portland, OR saves $10,000 a year by switching from plastic water cups to stainless steel cups. (Case study coming soon!)
• Alaska Troutfitters, an Ocean Friendly Hotel noticed significant cost savings and found that tracking bulk containers is more efficient than tracking thousands of tiny bottles.  (Case study coming soon!)

A snapshot from the Mitch's Seafood Case Study

How You Can Celebrate World Refill Day

• Get involved with your local Surfrider Chapter or Club to pass policies that promote reuse
• Dine at an  Ocean Friendly Restaurant near you
• Bring a reusable water bottle to refill. Hydro Flask and Yeti are Surfrider Corporate Partners and great options! 
• Bring your own travel mug to your favorite coffee shop
• Remember your reusable grocery bags
• Clean out pickle or other jars and use them to store leftovers or as cups for beverages
• Use refillable ziploc bags rather than disposable ones, like Stasher, a Surfrider Corporate Partner!
• Support your local refillery or bulk store

Eco Trayecto, an Ocean Friendly Restaurant in Puerto Rico offers a low waste, bulk market onsite. PC: Gerardo Photography.