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Environment and Conservation
October 19, 2010
School Challenge Launched - Recycle My Cell
The
Honourable Charlene Johnson,
Minister of Environment and Conservation, and
Leigh Puddester, Chair and CEO of the
Multi-Materials Stewardship Board (MMSB), joined Bernard Lord, President
and CEO of the Canadian Wireless
Telecommunications Association (CWTA),
and School Principal Sheldon Barry, to
launch an MMSB Waste Reduction Week campaign titled Recycle My Cell
School Challenge today at Mount Pearl Senior High.
"We are very pleased to see the people of the
province recycling their old cell phones and helping to keep toxic waste
out of our landfills," said Minister Johnson. "Our government and the
MMSB are eager to see efforts increase during 2010, and we are excited
about the launch of the Recycle My Cell School Challenge. We encourage
all schools throughout the province to participate."
The Recycle My Cell School Challenge
is open to all grade schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and
will run from October 20 through to November 30, 2010. All schools have
been provided with cell phone drop-boxes and the challenge is to collect
as many cell phones as possible. The MMSB will award $1,000 to the top
performing school in each of four regions of the province. To ensure a
level playing field, totals will be tallied based on the number of
students per school. The prize money will be
used toward environmental
school initiatives.
The Recycle My Cell program was officially
launched in Newfoundland and Labrador on July 28 of last year and a
total of 4,161 old cell phones were collected as of the end of December
2009.
"The launch of the MMSB sponsored Recycle My
Cell School Challenge today is a testament to Newfoundland and
Labrador's commitment to waste reduction," remarked
Bernard Lord, CWTA's
President and CEO. "
On
behalf of the industry, I extend our appreciation to the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador and the MMSB for recognizing the wireless
industry's commitment to the environment as well."
Leigh Puddester said the MMSB is confident
they'll see big results. "The youth of our province are already
environmental champions, and by adding a little competition to the mix,
we anticipate a very successful program," said Mr. Puddester.
"On behalf of the students of Mount Pearl
Senior High, I accept the challenge," said Sheldon Barry. "We are
definitely a green school and our students love a challenge, so we're
raring to go."
The MMSB is a provincial Crown
agency of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The MMSB supports
modern waste management practices in the province with a particular
focus on waste diversion, recycling, and public education, in order to
ensure a clean and healthy environment throughout Newfoundland and
Labrador.
Recycle My Cell ( www.recyclemycell.ca
)
is run by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association (CWTA),
in conjunction with cell phone carriers and handset manufacturers, who
have come together to raise awareness about the importance of cell phone
recycling. The goal of this program is to keep handsets from entering
Canada's landfills. And just as important, the proceeds from the
recycled devices contribute to some great charities at the same time.
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Media contacts:
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Melony O'Neill
Director of Communications
Department of Environment and Conservation
709-729-2575, 689-0928
moneill@gov.nl.ca |
Carol Ann Carter
Director of Communications
MMSB
709-757-3696, 689-4795
ccarter@mmsb.nl.ca
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Marc Choma
Director of Communications
CWTA
613-233-4888 ext. 207
mchoma@cwta.ca |
Sheldon Barry
Principal
Mount Pearl Senior High
709-364-8456
sheldonbarry@esdnl.ca |
2010 10 19
11:25 a.m.
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