BC London Drugs Stores Accepting Plastic Bags and Foam Packaging

November 1, 2017 – Starting today, recycling plastic bags, plastic overwrap and foam packaging in Penticton, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Prince George, Gibsons and Squamish will be as simple as a trip to London Drugs. Recycle BC is partnering 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 all other areas of the province, this phase of the expansion involves seven stores in participating communities. With the addition of these stores, the partnership between Recycle BC and London Drugs now includes all stores in British Columbia.

The following plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging are now accepted at London Drugs stores in Penticton, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Prince George, Gibsons and Squamish:

• 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 include all stores in BC and to offer residents of Penticton, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Prince George, Gibsons and Squamish more options for recycling plastic bags, overwrap and foam packaging,” said Allen Langdon, Managing Director of Recycle BC. “These items are not accepted in curbside recycling, so we’re pleased to offer residents more locations to recycle them.”

“With the expansion to Penticton, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Prince George, Gibsons and Squamish , 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 seven 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 16 other depots in these communities. A tool to find the nearest depot can be found at https://recyclebc.ca/recycling-at-home/recycling-depots/. Residents are also able to recycle a variety of packaging and paper in their blue bag at curbside or through recycling pick-up programs in multi-family buildings. A full list of packaging and paper that can be recycled is available at https://recyclebc.ca/what-can-i-recycle/.

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.

PENTICTON, KAMLOOPS, KELOWNA, WEST KELOWNA, PRINCE GEORGE, GIBSONS AND SQUAMISH: