By Scott Roblin

Local retailer hoping recycling programs increase at other businesses

May 3, 2018 | 5:27 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – When it comes to recycling in Medicine Hat curbside pick-up usually comes to mind, but local retailers are wanting to get involved as well.

The City of Medicine Hat is in talks with London Drugs to learn how local businesses can do their part to keep garbage out of the landfill.

Hoping to tour City staff around to show how they recycle, Assistant Manager Gordon MacKinnon said it’s up to stores and business owners to pitch in.

“Recycling is so important within our community, country, globe, it has to be done,” he said. “If retailers can help lead the way and make it easier for customers, people within the community to recycle, everybody wins.”

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Last year alone, the Medicine Hat location recycled over 40,000 pounds of material and cut down on garbage pick up from twice a week to once every two months.

This was done by eliminating many of the garbage bins around the store and replacing them with bins for plastics, glass, Styrofoam, cardboard, and other materials.

MacKinnon is hoping other businesses around the city will take steps towards reducing their environmental footprint.

“Everybody needs to know that there are people out there that really care about the environment and businesses that are doing an awesome job with recycling,” said MacKinnon. “If we can be leaders, or show the way, or help other companies, I think that’s a great step for our community.”

City staff were planning on visiting the store on Thursday for a tour, but were unable to attend.

Compared to other London Drugs locations around the country, the Medicine Hat location is on-par with a 93 percent waste diversion rate, meaning only seven percent of all items are thrown out.

MacKinnon added many recyclable items are thrown away due to convenience or not knowing what can be used again in the future.

“Education is the main part,” he said. “If you get people to understand that let’s avoid the garbage can, let’s find the recycling bin and put things in the right spot, [it’s] the key component.”

Items like batteries, lightbulbs, and small appliances have been recycled more often in recent years, but MacKinnon said they still see plenty of cardboard, paper, and plastics.