HONOLULU — The Berry Company, publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages recently announced that schools on Hawai‘i’s Neighbor Islands recycled a total of 36,606 outdated directories this year. The annual Think Yellow, Go Green Recycling Program kicked off May
HONOLULU — The Berry Company, publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages recently announced that schools on Hawai‘i’s Neighbor Islands recycled a total of 36,606 outdated directories this year. The annual Think Yellow, Go Green Recycling Program kicked off May 1 on the islands of Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i, with 45 schools participating. Cash prizes will be awarded to the schools that recycled the highest number of directories per student.
“Altogether, Hawai‘i’s Neighbor Island schools quadrupled last year’s contest total, from 16 to 64 tons, which local recyclers convert into products that are used on the islands,” said Scott Szczekocki, regional director of client services for Berry Hawaii. “We applaud our schools for these outstanding results. Our students are already aware of the importance of local sustainability initiatives and keeping our islands green.”
Schools on Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i and Maui that collected the most directories per student will be awarded a cash prize of $800 for first place, $600 for second place, $400 for third place, $300 for fourth place and $200 for fifth place. The top schools on Moloka‘i will collect $500 for first place and $300 for second place. First place winners include King Kaumuali‘i Elementary on Kaua‘i, Waimea Country School on the Big Island, Kamali’i Elementary on Maui and Maunaloa School on Moloka‘i. Lana‘i High & Elementary School will be awarded $350 for participation in this year’s program.
Throughout the competition, phone books were collected by the schools and transferred to participating island recyclers including Garden Isle Disposal on Kaua‘i, Orchid Island Rubbish & Recycle on the Big Island, Maui Disposal, Makoa Trucking on Moloka‘i and Lanai‘ Trucking. The recycled directories are then shipped to Island Shell in Honolulu. The phone books will be converted into oil-absorbent materials and used to manufacture home insulation and mulch for companies such as Green Lava Hydro-Mulch and InCide Pest Control Cellulose Insulation.
Visit www.ThinkYellowGoGreen.com for more information.