Kailua-Kona Trailing in National Recycling Challenge

Kailua-Kona is in last place among the 50 communities nationwide competing in the SC Johnson Green Choices Recycling Challenge.

Event organizers noted that October marks the midway point in the six-month challenge ending Dec. 31. The communities, one in each state, are competing for a $100,000 grant for a sustainability project.

A community team leader is designated in each of the selected communities to oversee the recycling activities, which are reported online.

The challenge is being done in conjunction with Recyclebank, which offers discounts as rewards for “green actions,” according to the competition’s organizers.

The leaders in the challenge so far are Lakes at Red Rock, Va.; Huntington Woods, Mich.; Horace, N.D.; Union Grove, Wis.; and Hampstead, N.H.

Event organizers note that according to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans recycle only 1.5 pounds of the more than 4 pounds of waste generated daily. They said the challenge is designed to raise awareness about the need to slow this trend and further inspire waste reduction efforts.