A recycling initiative at the Okotoks Recycling Centre has resulted in money for the Okotoks Food Bank and the Okotoks Pound Rescue.

The TerraCycle program recycles Tassimo t-discs and packaging, with the money received from the program going to charity. Of the money raised, $683 each has been given to the Food Bank and Pound Rescue.

Sheila Hughes, executive director of the Okotoks Food Bank, says the donation makes a significant difference.

"Right now we're seeing our numbers increased by 70 percent, so the more help we get the better for our clients," she says. "So many people that have never had to use the food bank have had to come in, so it helps us that way."

Bill Robertson, mayor of Okotoks, says it's rewarding to see the act of recycling come full circle.

"They have a program where you bring your t-discs to the Okotoks Recycling Centre and they then get recycled," he says. "They're transported far east in the United States for recycling so basically people recycling their t-discs is helping local groups, which is fantastic."

Robertson says the TerraCycle program isn't offered through the Town's regular recycling program, but only when items are dropped off at the Okotoks Recycling Centre.

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