Green Deal

April 1st, 2015

Be Water Waste Wise: Conserve Water With a Rain Barrel

Photo: Dorin_S istock

April showers are an opportunity for you to help save rain water for the hotter summer months ahead. Rain barrels collect and store rain water from rooftops, which can later be used for watering plants and gardens. There are many reasons that make these rain barrels a great green choice for your home:

Healthy Plants and Soil – Rain water is better for your garden and lawn because there are no added chemicals. Inorganic ions and fluoride compounds accumulate in the soil over time, and can potentially harm root plants and microorganisms in that soil. Your rain water will clean the soil of salt buildup, and promote healthy growing.

Money Saver – The average Canadian can collect up to 200 barrels of rain water from their roof during the growing season. When more people commit to using rain barrels for water usage, less water flows through our treatment facilities, which effectively saves you and your community money.

Reduction of Emissions – Using a rain barrel decreases your greenhouse gas emissions, which are associated with water treatment. Energy is used more efficiently because less energy is used to heat water and pump drinking water and wastewater

Reduction of Runoff – Rain barrels help reduce the flow of storm runoff. When it rains, runoff takes with it soils, fertilizer, oil, pesticides and other contaminants along the way. This untreated water runs directly into streams, lakes, and other bodies of water, affecting the habitats of fish and wildlife in the area. By using a rain barrel, the amount of storm runoff is substantially reduced, helping to protect the environment around you.

Setting up a rain barrel collection system is easy.
You can set up one rain barrel, or multiple rain barrels, and attach each to a downspout or connect in series. Set your downspout at least 1.5 metres away from your house. Simply ensure it is on a stable and wide surface to prevent it from being pulled or knocked over, and ensure your barrel’s cover is secure!

Watch this video from Green Calgary on installing a rain barrel.

London Drugs is pleased to be partnered with Green Calgary to support their Annual Rain Barrel & Composter Sales. All proceeds go to support Green Calgary’s programs that are dedicated to empowering people to create healthy homes, workplaces, and communities.

London Drugs Rain Barrel Event Dates:

Sat, April 18, 9AM-12PM
London Drugs – 4701-130 Ave SE

Sat, May 30, 9AM-12PM
London Drugs – 3545-32 Ave NE

Sat, June 13, 9AM-12PM
London Drugs Royal Oak – 500-8888 Country Hills Blvd NW

Sat, June 20, 9AM-12PM
London Drugs Brentwood – 3630 Brentwood Rd NW

Other Locations and Rain Barrel Event Dates:

Sat, April 25, 9AM-12PM
First Calgary Oakridge – 70-2580 Southland Drive SW

Sat, May 2, 9AM-12PM
Truckload, Crowfoot RONA – 90 Crowfoot Way NW

Sat, May 9, 9AM-12PM
First Calgary Transcanada – 510-16 Ave NE

Sat, May 23, 9AM-12PM
First Calgary Signal Hill – 5735 Signal Hill Ctr SW

Sat, June 6, 9AM-12PM
First Calgary Shawnessy – 110-70 Shawville Blvd SE

Links:

Green Calgary Rain Barrel & Composter Sales
Installing a rain barrel video
City of Vancouver Rain Barrels
City of Nanaimo Rainwater Harvesting
Edmonton Rain Barrel Project
Winnipeg Composting & Rain Barrels
Saskatoon Rain Barrel Rebates

March 26th, 2015

Get some great FREE Green Deals at the Healthy Family Expo, Vancouver – March 29, 2015

Keeping your family healthy is serious business, but here is one event where FUN is definitely going to share the spotlight. London Drugs is proud to sponsor this great event along with some of our awesome Green Deal product vendors, like Cheeky Monkey, Ethical Bean, Seventh Generation and Kruger, the makers of Purex Envirocare tissues.

Of course that means FREE STUFF! So get down to the London Drugs booth and say hello! (Tickets are available at your local London Drugs)

The Healthy Family Expo will be filled with great activities, demonstrations, products and surprises. M.C Mike Granek from TopDaddies.com will keep the main stage humming with Yoga demos, Bobs & Lolo concerts, and a feature on the Power of Food.
The expo is also big on sustainability. It’s working to be a zero-waste event once again, with Green Chair Recycling helping manage the waste. At the 2014 show, they achieved a diversion rate of 98%!

And if all that isn’t enough to get you to go… how about the opportunity to be a Healthy Human Hamster?? This is one event in the Active Kid Zone that really caught our eye. Be a rodent. Get exercise. How great is that??

Whatever your shade of green, Healthy Families is one thing we can ALL agree on! See you there!

February 27th, 2015

CLIF Bar – An energy snack that’s helping power  organic farming in Canada.

You might not expect the #1 energy bar in North America to be big on organic. But it is. Meet Brian Krumm, a fourth generation farmer from Saskatchewan, and a proud supplier of organic oats to Clif Bar.

In this amazing video, Brian tells the story of his family farm and why he made the switch to organic way back in 1996. It’s a testament to the food-based approach that Clif Bar takes, and it’s no surprise that they are a family and employee-owned business as well.

They use as much organic as possible, (70% in their original energy bars and Mojo bars, and their upcoming Z-Bars for Kids will be fully Certified Canada Organic)
Clif Bar keeps the environment, community and people on top of their list of corporate goals, even as they grow.

So when you’re out and about, hiking, biking or just going for a stroll, take a few Clif Bars along.

It’s the Real Green Deal of pocket snacks!

February 11th, 2015

Recycle Love – A Green Deal Valentine

When your battery’s low
And your screen’s getting dim
And your blow dryer just won’t blow
If you’re starting to sag
Like an old plastic bag
And your laptop’s running too slow
Don’t be too rash
Don’t jump for the trash
Or toss it into the sea
Head for a place
Where recycling’s embraced
And you can drop it all off for free
Then go make some time
You’re still in your prime
Find a heart that’s pure and true
Because love is the stuff
You can’t recycle enough
Even if it’s brand new

December 3rd, 2014

Looking for better ways to light the holidays? Start by recycling!

More and more people are making the switch to energy-efficient LED holiday lights, but even they still need recycling sometimes, as wiring can still crack or break. So if they don’t work, DON”T THROW THEM OUT! Bring your old strings of lights down to London Drugs for responsible recycling, and make sure all those valuable raw materials don’t end up in the landfill.
While you’re there you can check out the new ElfLight – a system that projects thousands of red and green lights on to your house without the need for ladders or wiring. ElfLight comes with 25ft of cord and a remote with timer. It’s a great way to decorate with less materials and hassle.
Because Christmas should always be the real Green (and Red!) Deal.

November 24th, 2014

How a Better Warranty Can Help Reduce Waste

When we think about the life cycle of products, the idea of a warranty is not necessarily the first thing we consider. Yet a good protection package can actually keep things out of the recycling system (or worse, the landfill!)
Here’s how: If a product stops working and the manufacturer’s warranty has expired, most consumers have little choice but to recycle it. BUT, if an extended warranty has been purchased for the product, the customer returns it, and that product is evaluated for repair. If it can be fixed, everyone wins. The customer has a working product again and our recycling systems and waste streams are spared some extra burden.
If it’s un-repairable, then the customer gets a replacement and the faulty product is put directly into recycling, avoiding the possibility of landfill disposal.
So consider warranty protection for your next important purchase. You just might be protecting more than your product.

November 16th, 2014

Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council blogs about London Drugs

It’s a blog-eat-blog world out there, but when we get recognition from our good friends at the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council, we have to say ‘thanks’.
Our small appliance recycling drop-off program was beautifully described by writer Naomi Mihilewicz in the Green Living Blog;
“Our household has taken many things back to (London Drugs): a dead toaster; a cordless beard trimmer that went for a swim (thanks to a certain toddler); even an old microwave from a stable where I used to ride. The best part? It costs nothing to drop it off.”
Thanks for helping spread the good green word!
You can check out more cool articles on this informative and well-written blog here.

October 28th, 2014

London Drugs was named a Winner in the 2014 Power Smart Excellence Awards, Regional Retailer category

It always feels good to be recognized, especially when it’s all about saving energy.
The 2014 BC Hydro Power Smart Excellence Award Winners were announced in October during Power Smart Month, and London Drugs was pleased to be called to the podium for the Regional Retailer award.
London Drugs Marketing Manager Dennis Dong accepted the award from Joanna Sofield, General Manager of Power Smart.
“Energy conservation is a cost-effective long-term business approach,” said Sofield, “Our winners have made energy management solutions a regular part of their operations because saving energy means saving money. That makes solid business sense.”
The Power Smart Excellence Awards is a biennial recognition program that recognizes BC Hydro’s business customers and partners who demonstrate best-in-class energy management and conservation. The 2014 Power Smart Excellence Awards honour nominees from a range of categories including: Outstanding Energy Efficiency Project, Energy Manager, New Construction, Conservation Awareness and Engagement as well as National and Regional Retailer.

October 24th, 2014

London Drugs and What’s the Green Deal Sponsor We Day in Vancouver, rocking out with celebs like Shawn Mendez and Marianas Trench!

The lights flashed and the stadium rocked as 17,000 world-changing teens welcomed London Drugs’ COO Clint Mahlman to the Rogers Arena stage. The event was We Day Vancouver, part of an 11 city tour welcoming kids from all around North America, who have earned their tickets through helping others.

“Don’t wait until tomorrow to make an impact,” Clint said, “I’m challenging you as leaders, to join London Drugs and become Green Heroes, and through your actions, take care of the planet… so it can take care of you.”
The cheering crowd then watched our latest What’s the Green Deal video, playing with full concert sound, showing how everyone can become Everyday Green Heroes – recycling beyond the blue box, Bringing Back the Pack and telling the world.
Our Green Deal team was also on site, encouraging people to tweet using the hashtag #LDGreenHeroes for a chance to win a London Drugs gift card.
London Drugs sponsorship was just part of a star-studded day that included appearances by Orlando Bloom, Mackelmore and Selena Gomez, and musical perfomances by Marianas Trench and Jennifer Lopez.
Created by Craig and Marc Keilberger, We Day is now recognized around the world for empowering change, and since 2007 has raised over $37 million for more than 1000 worthy causes.
It was an incredibly inspiring day, energizing our team and empowering us to spread the #LDGreenHeroes message even further.
Are YOU ready to take on the challenge and be an Everyday Green Hero? Do it now!
Because YOU are the REAL Green Deal!

October 1st, 2014

RRROCA Community Cleanup a Huge Success! Over 4,500 pounds of electronics and other items diverted from the City of Calgary’s landfills

On September 20, 2014 the communities of Rocky Ridge and Royal Oak participated in a Community Cleanup sponsored by The City of Calgary and London Drugs.

The parking lot of London Drugs Royal Oak was turned into a recycling party with music playing, a Community Appreciation BBQ serving up hot dogs, and a steady stream of recyclers from the community dropping off items at the different charity and recycling stations.

Local charities, Neighborlink and Goods Trading Services together reused a whole truck load of clothes, household goods, furniture and toys – all being donated to families in need. Habitat for Humanity also collected remnants from renovation projects for use in future construction.

Global Electric Electronic Processing (GEEP) took 4640 pounds of electronics recycling – computers, television, VCRs, printers filled 12 cages to the brim.

Be Water Waste Wise: Conserve Water With a Rain Barrel

Get some great FREE Green Deals at the Healthy Family Expo, Vancouver – March 29, 2015

CLIF Bar – An energy snack that’s helping power  organic farming in Canada.

Recycle Love – A Green Deal Valentine

Looking for better ways to light the holidays? Start by recycling!

How a Better Warranty Can Help Reduce Waste

Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council blogs about London Drugs

London Drugs was named a Winner in the 2014 Power Smart Excellence Awards, Regional Retailer category

London Drugs and What’s the Green Deal Sponsor We Day in Vancouver, rocking out with celebs like Shawn Mendez and Marianas Trench!

RRROCA Community Cleanup a Huge Success! Over 4,500 pounds of electronics and other items diverted from the City of Calgary’s landfills

Archives

Categories

Services

Education

About