The partnership between South Western Railway and ape2o which is a certified B Corp company, aims to get passengers at busier stations to reduce their usage of single-use plastic bottles.

The rail operator has revealed that 8 stations have ape2o water machines including Vauxhall, Wimbledon, Putney, Kingston, Richmond, Twickenham, Hampton Court and Bournemouth. The combined usage of the 8 stations sees a massive 110,000 passengers every weekday.

ape2o Is on a mission to cut the impact of plastic waste on streets and in turn, the oceans affecting marine life and will a shocking 7.7 billion plastic water bottles purchased each year in the UK, 80% of which end up in landfill, oceans or burned, going on to damage the environment for generations to come.

In celebration of the partnership and to build new sustainable habits with the public, South Western Railway and ape2o will give free water refills all day alongside giving away 300 ape2o stainless steel water bottles to rush hour commuters in order to pilot this exciting approach to cutting single-use plastic water bottles at the following stations

• Tuesday 11th October from 07.00 to 10.00 and 16.00 to 19.00 at Vauxhall and Wimbledon stations

The sustainable water company uses a three-phase advanced filtration system which utilises ultra-violet light to both clean and sterilise water, removing impurities at a molecular level and delivering it in a hygienic way with people having no access to the water source. The machines provide chilled, filtered, still or sparkling water for only 25p for half a litre. Customers are able to use their own water bottles/containers, reuse plastic bottles or buy ape2o’s stainless steel or plastic-free bottles.

Commenting on the extended partnership, Amy Dickinson, SWR’s Head of Sustainability said:

“At SWR we’re committed to supporting the Less Plastic Pledge through reducing and recycling waste and providing solutions to our customers that help them make sustainable choices. Working alongside companies like ape2o helps to encourage all of us to think more sustainably for the future of our planet.”

ape2o Founder, Anthony Newman added:

“We’ve already saved more than 250,000 plastic bottles from ending up in oceans and landfills with our current machines. Our partnership with SWR will now help us to reach millions more passengers, showing them how ditching the plastic can be a force for good. We bring the same trusted benefits as bottled water such as convenience, purity, and hygiene, but without the plastic and at a fraction of the cost. It’s time to go ape2o!”

All ape2o sales see 10% given to ocean beach and river clean-up and conservation initiatives.

Already holding an impressive sustainability record, South Western Railway has won a Green Apple award for its work in reducing its environmental impact and meeting its challenge of zero waste to landfill targets eight months ahead of plan. July 2018 also saw the rail operator divert 100% of its waste from landfill in favour of recycling or to be used in the generation of energy.

Further plans are also underway to add further ape2o water machines across London and in cities throughout the UK alongside other stations on the South Western Railway network.