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NLIS 1 March 12, 2003 (Environment) Helping the environment earns computers for schools Environment Minister Bob Mercer today congratulated Pasadena Elementary School on receiving a new computer for its efforts in the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board�s (MMSB) annual school recycling contest. Minister Mercer visited Pasadena Elementary this morning to meet with the teachers and students who are leading the recycling effort at the school. "The students and teachers at Pasadena Elementary are clearly demonstrating their commitment to recycling and protecting the environment," said Minister Mercer. "In the two years they have been participating in the school recycling contest, they have recycled almost 50,000 beverage containers and raised over $4,000. This is a tremendous achievement. I congratulate every student, teacher and their families who support their efforts and I encourage them to keep up the great work." The computer, valued at $1,500, is one of 10 computers MMSB will award this year through random draws from among the 300 schools participating in the province-wide recycling contest. "It is great to see that the effort schools are putting into their recycling programs is paying off for them," said Gordon Seabright, MMSB board chairman. "It takes a considerable amount of time and energy on the part of teachers, staff, students, and parents to implement a successful school recycling program. This is definitely a community effort for the environment and the school." This is the fifth year MMSB has been running the school recycling contest which is designed to encourage recycling within all provincial schools. Since the start of the contest in January 1999, MMSB has awarded 46 computers to participating schools, in addition to thousands of recycling prizes. Launched on Sept. 1, 2002, this year�s contest will continue until June 2003, and will also see schools doubling their refund on all beverage containers recycled. To assist them in their recycling efforts, every school registered in the contest has been supplied with recycling bins and bags, a recycling video, and educational and promotional materials. The school recycling contest is a part of the province�s Beverage Recycling Program which is administered by MMSB, a crown agency established by the Department of Environment to develop, implement, and manage a variety of waste diversion programs in Newfoundland and Labrador. "There is still time left in this year�s school recycling contest for schools throughout the province to recycle many more beverage containers and to raise money," said Minister Mercer. "I encourage all schools to continue participating in this contest which also educates students and teachers about the benefits of recycling." Media contact:
2003 03 12 10:25 a.m. |
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