For the first time, spectators at Wimbledon can stay hydrated with Evian natural mineral water through a unique refill system. This initiative encourages refill and reuse behavior throughout the day, marking a significant step in Evian and Wimbledon’s joint efforts to reduce plastic packaging waste during The Championships.
Danone brand Evian has been the official water partner of the Wimbledon Championships since 2008. In 2023, Evian piloted its first refillable water system on the court during Wimbledon, providing water to players and promoting refill and reuse behavior.
In 2024, Evian introduced a natural mineral refill system for spectators at Wimbledon. This system, designed to reduce plastic packaging waste, featured strategically placed refill stations across the grounds, including food court areas and mobile carts. Spectators could purchase unlimited Evian natural mineral water refills for $6 via a QR code, which can be used with any refillable container. Additionally, limited-edition Evian refillable bottles are available for purchase, with refills included for $30.
Gemma Morgan, spokesperson for Evian, emphasized the importance of the refill initiative, stating, “We know that refill plays, and will continue to play, a major role in the way people consume water here in the UK. The response to the player refill system last year was incredibly positive, so we want to expand refill to spectators to explore the potential at a larger scale.”
Sarah Cumming, Vice President, Marketing, Danone UK & Ireland, expressed pride in the initiative, stating, “We are excited to offer Evian natural mineral water refill at Wimbledon and for this to be a proof of concept to see the role refill could play in our natural source water portfolio more broadly.”
Both Wimbledon and Evian are committed to sustainability. The All England Lawn Tennis Club aims to become Environment Positive by 2030, with innovations like the refill system contributing to this goal. Hattie Park, Sustainability Manager at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, commented, “We want to design out waste and promote a culture of reuse, so working together with Evian to evolve and expand the refill pilot to our guests at The Championships this year is a really important step forward.”
Danone UK & Ireland, makers of Evian, showcased how refill can become an active part of people’s everyday habits in one of the world’s most viewed sporting arenas. International climate action NGO WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), which manages the UK Plastics Pact, welcomed the move. Harriet Lamb, Chief Executive Officer WRAP, remarked, “Expanding the refill system for natural source mineral water at Wimbledon is exciting and shows how we can move to alternative systems that go a long way to reduce plastic waste.”
The Evian player refill system, introduced last year, will continue with enhancements to include more players’ teams and optimized bottle return and reuse processes. Players will be provided with reusable bottles that can be refilled with Evian natural mineral water on-court and at designated player areas.
Evian has launched a new range of bottles made entirely from 100% recycled plastic (rPET), now available in France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. This closed recycling loop involves collecting, cleaning, and transforming used plastic into new bottles. In January 2018, Evian committed to making all its plastic bottles 100% recyclable by 2025, aiming to keep plastic within the economy and out of nature, promoting waste reduction and responsible consumption.
Between 2008 and 2016, Evian reduced its industrial energy consumption by 23% per liter while meeting increasing consumer demand. Their efforts also include protecting the watershed and wetlands at the source.
