Recycling Plastic Bags Gets Easier in Lower Mainland

Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver London Drugs Stores join province-wide recycling program

North Vancouver, B.C. – Starting today, recycling plastic bags, plastic overwrap and foam packaging in Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver will be as simple as a trip to London Drugs. Recycle BC has expanded its partnership with London Drugs to offer this convenient option for residents to bring these materials to their local store for recycling. Building off a partnership established with London Drugs stores in the City of Vancouver, on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley, this phase of the expansion involves nine stores in participating communities.

The following plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging are now accepted at London Drugs stores in Burnaby, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver:

• Plastic bags and overwrap, including grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, outer bags for diapers
• White and coloured plastic foam packaging, including foam meat trays, foam egg cartons and foam cushion packaging for electronics

“We’re excited to expand our partnership with London Drugs to offer residents of Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver more options for recycling plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging,” said Allen Langdon, Managing Director of Recycle BC. “These materials are recyclable and we want them to be recycled. The more convenient we can make it for residents to recycle materials that are not accepted in curbside recycling, the better.”

“With the expansion to Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver and West Vancouver, London Drugs is proud to again be partnering with Recycle BC to offer a very convenient way for more consumers to recycle their plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging,” said Kevin Sorby, General Manager, Retail Operations, London Drugs. “Now our customers and the greater community in these areas will be able to bring in these materials no matter where the original product packaging has originated from. There is no reason for residents who live in these six communities to throw plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging in the waste bin. Simply bring it in to your local London Drugs and we’ll ensure it is recycled properly.”

Recycling helps to conserve resources, save energy and protect the environment. Plastic bags and overwrap are recycled into new grocery bags, plastic pallets, containers, crates, pipes, decking and park benches. Plastic foam packaging is recycled into picture frames, construction trim, moulding, park benches and fence posts.

In addition to London Drugs locations, residents can continue to return plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging at 21 other depots in these communities. A tool to find the nearest depot can be found here. Residents are also able to recycle a variety of packaging and paper through their curbside or multi-family recycling collection programs. A full list of packaging and paper that can be recycled is available on our website.

Plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging are not collected at curbside because when these materials mix with other recyclables they do not separate well enough to meet the standards of North American recycling markets.

Sustainability and recycling have been a priority and part of London Drugs’ daily operations since the 1980s. Partnering with a variety of regional, provincial and waste reduction partners, such as Recycle BC, London Drugs continues to be recognized for its waste stewardship across Western Canada. Additional items consumers can recycle at London Drugs include fluorescent lights, rechargeable and alkaline batteries, cell phones, cardboard, electronics and cartridges for printers and computers. More information on the many items London Drugs will take back for recycling can be found at www.greendeal.ca.

LONDON DRUGS LOCATIONS IN BURNABY COQUITLAM, MAPLE RIDGE, NEW WESTMINSTER, NORTH VANCOUVER AND WEST VANCOUVER: