By Charlene Tebbutt

Jump in recycling stats after milk deposit added

Jul 10, 2018 | 12:00 PM

The number of items being recycled in Prince Albert has jumped since milk cartons were added to the list of approved recyclables last year.

The province began charging a deposit on milk containers in April 2017. They can be recycled through SARCAN depots across the province.

Since the deposit was added, the two SARCAN outlets in Prince Albert alone have collected about 31.5 million beverage containers – including milk jugs and cartons – up from 30 million the year before, said Sydney Smith, communications officer with SARCAN. Smith said the organization is pleased with the response from consumers since the deposit was added to milk containers.

“It’s been incredibly popular for us,” Smith told paNOW. “It was a big win for SARCAN because it meant that all those containers will get recycled properly, and it also means more cash in the pocket of Saskatchewan residents.”

The province said last year that SARCAN would begin accepting beverage containers including milk, buttermilk, cream, fluid coffee creamers, lactose-free products and drinkable yogurt. The province partners with SARCAN to promote and collect items for recycling.

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Around the province, SARCAN collected 439 million beverage containers last year, which was a new record for the organization, Smith said, adding that their return rate for containers was 84 per cent last year. SARCAN also accepts electronics, paint and glass jars for recycling at their depots, she added.

Money raised through recycling goes to a number of groups and organizations across Saskatchewan, including Telemiracle and locally, the Prince Albert & District Community Service Centre, which offers a number of services in the city including special needs and seniors’ transportation.

Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 12:33 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 to correct a typo.

Charlene.tebbutt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @CharleneTebbutt