It was recently announced that Sarcan would now be accepting flexible plastic packaging, foam packaging and non-deposit glass bottles and jars at all locations throughout the province. These items are not accepted in household recycling bins and previously, would end up within a landfill.
“This expansion will not only help us meet our commitment to build cleaner, greener communities across Saskatchewan, but it also means new green career opportunities for the people of all abilities in our province,” said Amy McNeil, Executive Director for SARC and SARCAN Recycling.
This is made possible through a partnership with SK Recycles and will help divert more material from the landfills and newly recycled items will be used to make new products in Western Canada.
“We are very pleased to launch our program and to accept these new items in partnership with SARCAN,” Sam Baker, Vice President of Operations for SK Recycles stated in a news release. “We’re passionate about supporting household packaging and paper recycling in Saskatchewan and advancing environmental outcomes through this program. We’re here to support, educate, and encourage everyone across the province to recycle more and recycle right, so that we can create a more sustainable future for our province.”
Some of the items now being accepted at all 73 Sarcan locations throughout Saskatchewan include chip bags, zipper lock bags, foam takeout containers, pickle jars, bottles used for olive oil, plastic net bags, foam containers for meat, plastic protective packaging, and more.
These items will not be available for rebate upon being recycled; however, it will help to increase waste diversion across Saskatchewan. According to Environment Minister Travis Keisig, the new recycling options will help the province reach targets of reducing waste per person by 30 per cent by 2030 and by 50 per cent by 2040.
The material will be recycled within the province and Western Canada, where glass will be turned into reflective glass beads for road marking paint and fibreglass insulation, plastics will become plastic pellets for new plastic products such as bins and buckets, and foam will be used to create picture frames and crown moulding.
For more details about what is accepted and what happens to the recycled materials, visit sarcan.ca or skrecycles.ca.
