Bristol-based quick service restaurant chain Friska has bolstered its ethical credentials by launching a refillable flask to mark World Water Day.
Friska, which has a long-standing partnership with Bristol ethical bottled water firm Frank, hopes to raise awareness of water security issues in developing countries as well as stop its customers relying on disposable cups and plastic bottles. 
The flasks have been designed and built by Cumbria-based Klean Kanteen, which has worked with a number of socially and environmentally responsible companies including Patagonia and the artisan New York-based coffee roaster Stump Town Coffee.
The double-wall vacuum insulated flasks keep hot drinks hot for 14 hours and iced ones cold for 48 hours. Friska head of finance Peter Westmore saw how effective they are for himself on a recent trip to Finland.
He said: “I genuinely couldn’t believe how well our new flasks worked at keeping my filter coffee hot in temperatures of down to minus 20 degrees. After a morning snow trekking, I was able to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in the wilderness!”
Friska already donates 10p from each bottle of Frank Water it sells, which goes toward supporting its charitable work around the world providing clean drinking water and sanitation.
Friska co-founder Griff Holland added: “We are very lucky in the UK to be able to open a tap and get clean, reliable and affordable drinking water. This isn’t the case for everyone in the world and we decided to raise people’s awareness of this by extending our Frank Water partnership with the launch of our flasks.
“Last year through the sale of our mineral water we were able to raise enough money to fully fund a clean drinking water facility in rural India. We felt proud at the achievement but at the same time we knew that plastic water bottles in the developing world are wasteful and ultimately not really needed.
“We don’t want to dictate to our customers that they shouldn’t be buying bottled water. However, we feel good about the fact that we now offer a re-usable and high-quality alternative to plastic mineral bottles for our customers on the move whether they are drinking a hot or cold drink.
Friska has offered free tap water since it launched its first outlet in Bristol in 2009.
Its latest initiative is supported by The Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), which aims to increase sustainability in the hospitality sector.
Tom Tanner from the SRA said: “The Attenborough effect means there’s now huge momentum behind the movement to act on single-use plastic, a pressing challenge, which is also a big opportunity for the restaurant sector.
“The SRA fully supports Friska’s initiative to encourage customers to offer reusable bottles and free water refills. This is one of a growing number of positive business initiatives that are helping consumers to make responsible choices when eating out.”
Friska is focused on being the best place to go for breakfast, lunch and great coffee every day. It recently opened its 10th outlet on Manchester’s St Peters Square.
