GO re-usable is the message from Scottish Water to residents in Cumnock and Doon Valley.

Scotland’s national public water company is asking its customers to opt for re-usable bottles filled with tap water to help tackle plastic waste in the community.

Brian Lironi, Scottish Water’s director of corporate affairs, said: “In Scotland, we’re fortunate to have the most loved tap water in the UK. We deliver more than a billion litres of fresh and clear drinking water around the clock every day to our customers. It’s readily available at tap – the re-fillable approach makes so much sense in terms of convenience, cost and sustainability.

“We’re absolutely committed as an organisation to helping to maintain sustainable communities. Since the Blue Planet series and the issues it raised, we are all more acutely aware of the damage plastic is doing to the natural environment.

“I urge all Scots to get their hands on a refillable water bottle, if they don’t already have one, and fill it from the tap at home, at work or wherever they can.

“There’s no need for us to wait until 2021 to make the change, this is something we can all do today.”

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham added: “This is a great campaign and I encourage everyone to make the switch to reusable bottles whenever possible.

“We all have a role to play in changing Scotland’s throwaway culture and we all stand to benefit - by protecting our environment and saving money too.

“The Scottish Government is leading the UK in this area by introducing a deposit return scheme for drinks containers.

“We also support the EU Commission’s vision to see all plastic packaging recyclable or reusable by 2030.”