Omagh schools turn Yellow Pages into cash - 18 March 2002
Pupils at Green Elves Play School in Greencastle, have come up trumps in a schools recycling competition run by Omagh District Council and supported by The Directory Recycling Scheme, sponsored by Yellow Pages.The competition offered £1,000 in cash prizes to reward their efforts in recycling Yellow Pages. Green Elves Play School excelled in winning both the £500 prize for the highest number of Yellow Pages collected overall – 2,411 - and the £500 prize for the highest number collected per head – 100 per pupil.
In addition, the top individual collectors from each school have received a certificate and a cheque for £5 or £10 from Omagh District Council. For collecting an incredible 935 old Yellow Pages by himself, nine year old Aaron Mimnagh wins a cheque for £25.
The competition saved 16 tonnes of paper from going to landfill and more than 4,400 children from 26 schools across the district took on the recycling challenge. Their combined efforts gathered almost 9,000 old Yellow Pages which will be recycled into egg boxes at Lurgan Fibre.
Christina Johnston, environmental education officer with Omagh District Council in partnership with the Ulster Wildlife Trust, said: “Green Elves Play School has exceeded all expectations in this competition. The children pulled out all the stops by collecting 2,411 old Yellow Pages which is the equivalent of 100 per pupil. The school deserves every praise for its huge efforts and a big thank you from the council.”
All the schools that participated in the Yellow Pages recycling competition will be given a certificate.
Adam Billiald, co-ordinator of The Directory Recycling Scheme, said: “This has been a fantastic competition and I’m delighted with the results achieved by Green Elves and all the schools that took part. I’d also like to thank the council for their tremendous support in recycling Yellow Pages directories.”
Further information on recycling and environmental issues can be obtained by calling the Environmental Education officer, Christina Johnston, tel: 028 8224 5321 or by contacting the Technical Services department in Omagh District Council.
