“As a retailer, we obviously put a lot of stuff into the market. We are… a key point between manufacturers and consumers,” said Raman Johal, sustainability specialist at London Drugs.
The Richmond-based retailer is one of the many options available for Richmondites to recycle unwanted items this Earth Day.
London Drugs’ comprehensive recycling program accepts a wide variety of items purchased through the store, but cardboard and paper were by far the most recycled items.
Just last year, the two Richmond locations recycled 220,000 pounds of cardboard and paper. A total of 10,000,000 pounds of cardboard and paper were recycled across all locations.
“Our goal is to try to be able to recycle anything we sell,” said Johal.
Applicable products include plastics, soft plastics, Styrofoam, electronics and appliances, batteries, light bulbs, medication and cosmetics. For recycled electronics, London Drugs also offer secure data destruction.
One exception to the rule is chopsticks, Johal told the Richmond News, which can also be recycled despite not being sold in London Drugs stores.
During 2022, the two London Drugs locations in Richmond have recycled the following:
- 200,000 pounds of cardboard
- 20,000 pounds of paper
- 15,000 pounds of plastic
- 6,000 pounds of electronics and appliances
- 2,500 pounds of batteries
- 500 pounds of light bulbs
Collected items are then sent to London Drugs’ various recycling partners, including Recycle BC and other local depots.
“We really want to make sure things are recycled as locally as possible,” said Johal. “Nothing is shipped outside of North America.”
For Richmondites thinking of shredding personal paperwork and donating unwanted electronics this Earth Day, the Cambie Community Centre is currently holding a shred-a-thon from now until 2 p.m. in collaboration with the Electronic Recycling Association.
Other than London Drugs, the Richmond Recycling Depot on Lynas Lane also accepts a long list of items including the usual batteries, electronics and plastic containers as well as aluminium, cooking oil and animal fat, power tools and upholstered furniture. There are also four Return-It depots in Richmond accepting bottles and other items.
As for textiles, the City of Richmond currently advises clothes be donated to reuse organizations in the Lower Mainland since Return-It depots stopped accepting textiles last year. Richmond's MacArthurGlen Outlet is also offering 10 per cent discounts to customers who donate clothes to Guest Services centre.
