A pilot scheme is underway at the mixed-use Abbey Area redevelopment in Camden to use reusable water bottles instead of plastic cups, where Wates is building 141 homes as well as additional retail and commercial spaces.

Reusable bottles have been distributed to the entire workforce who can use fresh water stations to fill them up.

Previously, the Abbey Area redevelopment used an estimated 120,000 cups per year, which cost just over £1,300. The company estimates the move could save around £4,350 per site over ten years, while reducing landfill by 5,000kg over the same period.

Over a 10-year period, Wates estimates that swapping to reusable bottles could save approximately £4,350 per site, as well as reducing landfill by around 5,000kg and helping to reduce litter and marine pollution.

Wates is also hoping the change will encourage workers to cut down their use of single-use plastic bottles as the initiative is rolled-out across all of its sites.