The following is being distributed at the request of the Multi-Material Stewardship Board:

Recycling can raise funds and promote business skills

Children across the province can gain valuable experience running their own business and at the same time learn about recycling through the Multi-Material Stewardship Board's (MMSB) Green Biz Kids program, launched today at Green Depots across the province.

"Green Biz Kids is a way of building on the success of the provincial school recycling program and provide participating children with the opportunity to learn the value of entrepreneurship," said Karen O'Neill, MMSB communications officer. 

O'Neill said children can set up a system to collect recyclable beverage containers from their friends, family, and neighbours and return them to local Green Depots to collect the refund. Children across the province can visit their nearest Green Depot and pick up a Green Biz Kids kit which includes instructions on how to set up a neighbourhood recycling business, household contact cards, and information about recycling. And if the young entrepreneurs have any questions, or need advice, Green Depot operators are available to help, said O'Neill.

Children that participate in the Biz Kids program can mail in an entry form by September 30, 2001 and earn the chance to win an RCA boom box, Green Routine t-shirts, and other prizes. O'Neill emphasized Green Biz Kids is not a contest. "We want to provide a small reward for participating Biz Kids, but this is a program we want to develop every year as a way of encouraging recycling through the summer months and throughout the year."

Media contact: Karen O'Neill, Communications, (709) 753-0949.

2001 08 02                                                             2:50 p.m.