Gloucester Rugby is proud to partner with the WCD Group for hydration. In a bid to become more sustainable, a variety of environmentally friendly drinking water solutions that provide chilled and filtered water have been installed at Kingsholm Stadium for fans, staff and also the players to use. Based on Gloucester Business Park, the WCD Group has installed a number of high capacity, plumbed in refill water dispensers, bar taps and chillers in high footfall areas in the stadium shop, 1873 Ricoh Lounge and reception for use on match days and for conference delegates. Water coolers are also in use at the club’s training ground for players to refill sports bottles and stay hydrated. To kick off the relationship, the WCD Group presented all staff and the playing squad with their very own co-branded Gloucester red Chilly’s reusable bottle, personalised for hygiene and very well received. Alex Brown, COO at Gloucester Rugby, commented: “As we continue to improve our sustainability initiatives at Gloucester Rugby, we are introducing ways to reduce our plastic waste. By partnering with the WCD Group and installing refill drinking water stations we will reduce single-use plastic water bottles allowing staff, fans, and delegates to refill their own flasks. [caption id="attachment_3346" align="alignnone" width="300"] Water Coolers Direct Partnership Chilly's and Gloucester Rugby
Pic by Martin Bennett[/caption]

Refill revolution

With organisations such as Refill.org and other anti-plastic bodies fast emerging, the WCD Group has seen a year on year growth with businesses and retailers investing in plumbed in refill stations for their customers and the public, to refill reusable bottles with fresh water, reducing pollution waste, and landfill. Said former Gloucester Rugby captain Pete Glanville, managing director at WCD: “Sustainability is a key driver for our hydration business providing drinking water solutions that cut plastic pollution and encourage refill and reuse. We refer to this as the Attenborough Affect; following Sir David’s Blue Planet plastic awareness. Alongside Gloucester Rugby, we are working with Forest Green Rovers FC, Barclays, and high street brands such as Aldi and Greggs to name but a few!”  “When crowds return, we will encourage fans to refill their own reusable bottles to protect help reduce single-use plastic cup and bottle pollution. Staying hydrated helps with health and wellbeing which is so important in these challenging times.” www.thewcdgroup.com