City establishes pilot program to recycle election campaign signs

Medicine Hat – The City of Medicine Hat has established a pilot program that allows mayoral, council and school board candidates in the 2021 municipal election to recycle their campaign signs free of charge at the Kipling Bulk Recycling Depot at 240 Kipling Street SE.

“Given the high number of signs around the City and the fact that we’ve already received inquiries from some candidates wanting to do their part promoting environmental stewardship, we felt it would be an excellent opportunity to pilot this program with one bulk bin at the Kipling location,” said Shane Briggs, Superintendent of Solid Waste Collection. “I’d like to thank our recycling contractor GFL Environmental Inc. for working with us to offer this program.”

The bin will be clearly marked as “Election Signs Only” and will be in place for 10 days following the election, until Oct. 28.

Acceptable materials include signs made of corrugated plastic, plastic film, or paperboard. Wooden stakes and wire mounts must be removed from the signs before the signs are placed in the bin. Wooden stakes and wire mounts can also be recycled at the waste management facility (landfill). Large signs may need to be cut into smaller pieces.

“We encourage candidates to collect, keep and reuse their signs if considering a future campaign,” said Angela Cruickshank, Returning Officer. “But for signs that are damaged or not reusable, we’re thrilled our staff are able to offer this environmentally-responsible opportunity to recycle.”

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For further information, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca