Contest diverts 212K lbs of waste

“The recycling contest is not about winning. It’s about recycling and saving the earth.”

Thus said Whispering Palms School student Zoe Travis before hundreds of students at the Saipan World Resort’s Diamond Hall yesterday morning, following Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s proclamation of CNMI Recycles Day.

Some 212,837 lbs of aluminum, glass, plastic, cardboard, paper and metal went to the Division of Solid Waste Management for recycling as part of the “All Schools Recycling Contest” conducted among CNMI schools from Sept. 1 to Nov. 8 this year, according to SWM assistant manager Robert Jordan.

Jordan said 8,976 students from 28 schools participated in the contest, which was topped by the Grace Christian Academy among elementary schools, Eucon International Junior High among junior high schools, and Eucon High School among the CNMI’s high schools.

The contest entails turning in the biggest average amount of recyclable materials per student. GCA’s recyclable materials averaged 158.68 lbs per student, while Eucon Junior High and High School registered 191.58 lbs per student and 218.18 lbs per student, respectively. The first place winners received $1,000 each.

Bagging second place were Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School, Grace Christian Junior High, and Northern Marianas Academy; and third place, Whispering Palms for the elementary school division, Chacha Junior High School, and Grace Christian Academy for high school. Second place winners received $500 each, while third place winners got $300 each.

Nineteen schools received prizes for the elementary school division, while four schools each bagged prizes for the junior high and high school divisions.

The CNMI Recycles Day joins the mission of the America Recycles 2005, a national all-volunteer, non-profit organization, which promotes awareness about the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling buying recycled products.

Jordan said recycling not only preserves the environment but also prolongs the use of the Marpi landfill by diverting wastes from the facility. Opened in early 2003, the landfill now has an estimated 140,000 tons of trash, which could have been 25 percent more had it not been for waste recycling, according to Jordan.

In his proclamation, the governor said Saipan has taken a leadership role in recycling and purchasing recycled products.

“State and community leaders need to spread the word about the excellent recycling programs they have established, the growth of markets in Asia for recyclable materials, and the importance of buying recycled products,” Babauta said.

The proclamation also encouraged everyone to pledge to recycle more and buy recycled products.

Yesterday’s event also featured exhibits that educated students on the benefits of energy conservation, as well as other environmental concerns.

Various public and private establishments contributed to the event as sponsors, including the Saipan Tribune.