UNESCO Biosphere Isle of Man is expanding its ’Refill’ scheme, to further reduce single-use plastic waste.

The scheme was originally launched in 2019 with a free (Apple and Android) app showing people where they can refill reusable water bottles when out and about.

Now, people can use their own containers to refill with food, cleaning products, hot drinks, lunches, groceries and other items from shops, cafés, restaurants and museums.

The ’Refill Refreshed’ scheme aims to make it easy to find participating businesses and lists what things they can refill.

As well as appearing on the app, businesses will display a distinctive blue sticker in their window to make customers aware of the service.

More information and the online sign-up form can be found on the Biosphere Isle of Man website or queries can be sent to [email protected].

There are currently 133 ’Refill Stations’ across the island.

Environment Minister Geoffrey Boot said: ’The island has a great community spirit and people are becoming increasingly more aware of environmental issues, so the expanded Refill Refreshed scheme has the potential to become embedded in people’s everyday life.

’Disposable items are relatively new to society and we could easily live without them, so it is about planning ahead and having refillable items with you - it could make all the difference to our Biosphere.’