Directories drive wraps up Sunday

LIHUE — The Berry Company, LLC, publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Directory, is partnering with schools on Kauai and other islands of Hawaii on the #SmallBizBigOutcome recycling drive and environmental awareness campaign.

The campaign runs through Sunday, and is in conjunction with the 2016 Hawaiian Telcom Directory delivery on the neighbor islands.

Local schools on each island will compete to collect the most outdated telephone directories, which will keep the directories out of landfills through recycling.

For the first time, all participating schools will receive a cash prize for their involvement in the program, and one school will win a grand prize. The grand prize winner will be selected based on book collection totals and efforts to engage and educate students about recycling and protecting the local environment.

“Berry’s recycling drive helps to protect the local environment, but also raises funds for neighbor island schools, and we’re grateful for the support from our local community partners that help bring this campaign to life,” said John Lambert, branch manager of The Berry Company in Hawaii. “We love seeing how students of all ages get involved and learn first-hand the difference recycling can make.”

After the close of the contest, the telephone directories are shipped off-island for recycling. On Hawaii, Kauai, Lanai and Maui the materials are converted into an array of new products, including building insulation, writing and copier papers, newsprint and paper towels.

Berry is also partnering with local food banks, including Hawaii Foodbank, Hawaii Foodbank – Kauai Branch, to host a community food drive. By using the recyclable directory delivery bags, Berry encourages the community to fill the bags with nonperishable food items and donate them to local food banks.