Students Recycle Directories in Recycling and Awareness Campaign

Hawaiian Telcom Directory.

Big Island, Kauai, and Maui County schools have partnered with the Berry Company, the Hawaiian Telcom Directory parent company, for the #SmallBizBigOutcome recycling drive and environmental awareness campaign.

The campaign is in its final week, ending on May 15, and is in conjunction with the 2016 Hawaiian Telcom Directory delivery.

Schools are collecting outdated telephone directories for recycling. All participating schools will receive a cash prize for participating in the drive. One school will receive a grand prize based on book collection totals and the effort to engage students and educate about recycling programs and protecting the environment.

“Berry’s recycling drive helps to protect the local environment, but also raises funds for neighbor island schools, and we’re grateful for the support from our local community partners that help bring this campaign to life,” said John Lambert, branch manager of The Berry Company in Hawai’i. “We love seeing how students of all ages get involved and learn first-hand the difference recycling can make.”

The directories are completely recyclable and will be shipped off-island for recycling once the contest closes.

On the Big Island, Kauai, Lanai, and Maui, the materials are converted into an array of new products, including building insulation, writing and copier papers, newsprint, and paper towels.

Directories from Molokai are processed at a waste-to-energy facility, where they are used to generate a valuable source of renewable energy for Oahu.

Berry is also partnering with local food banks as the new directories are released. By using the recyclable directory delivery bags, Berry encourages the community to fill the bags with non-perishable items and to donate them to the local food basket.