Top Up Taps Save 20 Million Plastic Bottles

“The rollout of these Top Up Taps across Scotland fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and makes it easier for people to support their natural environment.”

Gillian Martin
Climate Action Secretary, Scottish Government

Scottish Water’s innovative network of Top Up Taps has achieved a significant milestone, saving the equivalent of 20 million plastic bottles.

We can reveal that our network of 132 iconic blue Top Up Taps, designed to promote the use of refillable water bottles and reduce single-use plastic, has now saved the equivalent of 20 million single-use 330ml plastic bottles.
 
The achievement is a result of people using the taps to refill their bottles and stay hydrated, tapping 
into the country’s water supply while on the go.

Scottish Water confirmed the latest figures at an event at its Top Up Tap outside the Scottish Parliament today (Weds.) – one of the most frequently used taps and the first one to be installed seven years ago - to inform MSPs of how much the taps in their constituencies are being used and the plastic bottle equivalent being saved.

Climate Action Secretary Gillian Martin said: “I welcome this achievement by Scottish Water – which has saved the equivalent of around 20 million single-use plastic bottles – helping to encourage re-use, cut plastic waste and support our transition to net zero.

“The roll out of these Top Up Taps across Scotland fulfils a Programme for Government commitment and makes it easier for people to support their natural environment.”

Scottish Water has highlighted the top 20 most-used Top Up Taps across Scotland, with the tap at The Meadows in Edinburgh leading the way, followed by the tap at the city’s Royal Botanical Gardens and one at the Riverside Museum in Glasgow.

The company has also produced a nationwide list of the entire network of Top Up Taps showing the average monthly usage in every parliamentary constituency.

We want to thank everyone who has used the Top Up Taps and is encouraging more people to do so. 

The network of taps, from Lerwick in the north to Portpatrick in the south, provides free public mains water and digitally logs the amount of water used. 

The first tap was installed at the Scottish Parliament in October 2018. The taps are equipped with technology that tracks water usage, providing data on cost savings, plastic reduction, and water volume used.

The Top Up Tap initiative is part of Scottish Water’s Your Water Your Life campaign, which celebrates the quality of Scotland’s water and encourages environmental protection and personal health. Single-use plastic continues to pollute our seas and beauty spots, making refillable water bottles a better choice for the planet and your pocket.

Peter Farrer, Scottish Water Chief Operating Officer, said: “We are thrilled that so many people have used the taps, saving the equivalent of 20 million single-use plastic bottles. We thank everyone who fills up from our big blue taps with a reusable bottle and hope more people will do the same in the future.

“We urge everyone to carry a refillable bottle and use our Top Up Taps to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water is essential for concentration, health, and performance.

“With 132 distinctive Top Up Taps across the country, you can easily top up while on the go."

For more information or to find your nearest Top up Tap visit : Top Up Tap Map or Your Water Your Life

Top up Tap hall of fame

Top 20 Top Up Taps based on their usage, ie the number of 330ml bottles saved on average per month
1 The Meadows Pavilion, Edinburgh – 15,599
2 Royal Botanical Gardens, Edinburgh – 10,756
3 Riverside Museum, Glasgow – 10,518
4 Balmaha Lodge, Balmaha – 10,274
5 Portobello promenade, Edinburgh – 9,019
6 Grassmarket, Edinburgh – 8,255
7 Silverknowes Marine Parade, Edinburgh – 8,160
8 Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh – 8,077
9 Leith Links, Edinburgh – 7,839
10 South Queensferry – 7,721
11 Kelpies, Falkirk – 7,519
12 Royal Mile/High Street, Edinburgh – 7,000
13 Calderglen Park, East Kilbride – 6,887
14 Botanic Gardens, Glasgow – 6,831
15 South Inch Park, Perth – 6,791
16 Buchanan Street, Glasgow – 6,267
17 Barclays Campus, Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow – 6,255
18 Ben Lomond car park, Rowardennan – 6,158
19 Rutland Place, Edinburgh – 5,942
20 Glasgow Science Centre – 5,880