South Hams Schools get the Yellow recycling bug - 16 September 2004
Kirk, the recycling bug and campaign mascot for the Yellow Woods Challenge, is this week urging children to bring old Yellow Pages directories to school for recycling into hard cash and animal bedding.Schools across the eastern part of the South Hams are being encouraged to compete in the first round of the 2004/05 Yellow Woods Challenge – and collect as many directories as possible.
The Yellow Woods Challenge is a simple, educational and fun environmental campaign run by Yellow Pages and the Woodland Trust working with South Hams District Council.
To participate in the scheme, schoolchildren can simply take old Yellow Pages to school for recycling. The collected directories will be converted into bedding by ROPE 2, a community recycling centre based in Kingsbridge.
All participating schools will receive free packs about paper recycling and woodland conservation. Schools collecting the most directories per pupil before 22 October can win cash prizes from Yellow Pages. Schools could win up to £300 locally and then compete nationally for the chance to win up to £2,000.
For every pound awarded to schools in prize money, a matching pound will be given to the Woodland Trust to support its new tree planting campaign.
Around 1,500 schools across the UK are taking part in the Yellow Woods Challenge 2004/05. South Hams District Council is organising this year’s challenge for the district and wants schools in the Exeter directory area to recycle old Yellow Pages.
In 2004, South Hams schools saved a total of 8,399 Yellow Pages directories from landfill.
Verity Palk, the council’s waste management officer, said: “The Yellow Woods Challenge is a great way kids can learn about recycling, help save the environment and raise money for their schools at the same time. I hope as many schools as possible take advantage of the competition.”
Visit www.yellow-woods.co.uk for more information about the Yellow Woods Challenge or call Verity Palk at South Hams District Council on 01803 861496.
Old Yellow Pages directories can also be recycled via recycling banks throughout the district. For details of the nearest facilities, visit www.yellgroup.com or call the Yellow Pages Directory Recycling Helpline on 0800 671 444 or visit SHDC’s recycling pages at www.southhams.gov.uk/recycling
