During a recent phone book recycling contest, Kaua‘i schools recycled an amount equal to the weight of a humpback whale, according to a press release. Some 17 Kaua‘i schools, from elementary to high school, participated in the Hawaiian Telcom Recycling
During a recent phone book recycling contest, Kaua‘i schools recycled an amount equal to the weight of a humpback whale, according to a press release.
Some 17 Kaua‘i schools, from elementary to high school, participated in the Hawaiian Telcom Recycling Contest collectively turning in over 25 tons of old phone books.
“We’re happy that so many schools participated in the contest and that so many books were recycled,” said Ron Montgomery, Hawaiian Telcom Directories vice president and general manager, in the release. “This was a great opportunity for us to help protect the environment of Kaua‘i and work with the schools in helping students learn about caring for the environment. Though our contest is over, it’s never too late to recycle – there’s so much recyclable material all around us.” Hawaiian Telcom, which succeeded Verizon as the state’s local telephone company in May 2005, distributed the new 2006-2007 combined white and yellow pages directories to Kaua‘i businesses and homes in February. The state requires that Hawaiian Telcom publish and distribute telephone books to all homes and businesses statewide.
Hawaiian Telcom continued the tradition of partnering with schools to recycle old phone books – as well as unused, unwanted, unofficial telephone books that people may have received from other companies.
Open to all Hawai‘i island public and private schools, the contest ran from Feb. 15 to March 24. The public was encouraged to drop off old phone books at any participating school.
Awards were based on the weight of phone books collected.
The first-place school received $1,000, second place received $500 and third place $200.
Hawaiian Telcom also awarded $100 to all schools that collected more than 1,000 pounds of old phone books.
Big Save supported the Kaua‘i schools’ recycling efforts by awarding $100 gift certificates to first-, second- and third-place winning schools.
The winners on Kaua‘i are: First Place: Wilcox Elementary School; 21,504 pounds (nearly 11 tons, almost half the total recycled) Second Place: Eleele Elementary School; 7,846 pounds recycled Third Place: Kalaheo Elementary School; 3,936 pounds recycled The following schools recycled more than 1,000 pounds of old telephone directories:
• Kilauea Elementary School
• Kapaa Elementary School
• Chiefess Kamkahelei Middle School
• Kapaa Middle School
• St. Theresa School
• King Kaumualii Elementary School
• St. Catherine School
• Waimea Canyon School
The following schools also participated in the contest:
• Koloa Elementary School
• Kekaha Elementary School
• Island School
• Kauai High School
• Kapaa High School
• Kula Elementary-Na Kamalei