Schools across the state are recycling, and 13 of them are taking part in the fourth annual Recycle-Bowl Competition (RBC).
Schools across the state are recycling, and 13 of them are taking part in the fourth annual Recycle-Bowl Competition (RBC).
This nationwide recycling incentive, open to all elementary, middle and high schools, is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful (KAB), a recycling and litter prevention nonprofit organization. The objectives of RBC are to establish new recycling programs within schools, increase recycling rates in schools that currently recycle and provide teacher/student educational opportunities about recycling and waste reduction.
Through Saturday, students, faculty and staff work together to recycle as much as possible on campus, which may include paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, HI 5 beverage containers and food waste.
The Recycle-Bowl Competition is a measurable success that reduces the amount of discards to the landfill.
The total amount of recyclables recovered during the 2013 competition added up to 6.4 million pounds, which in turn prevented the release of nearly 8,913 metric tons of carbon equivalent, which is equivalent to the annual emissions from 473 passenger cars.
On average, 7.75 pounds of material were collected per person during the four weeks of the competition.
The competition culminates Saturday, which is America Recycles Day, known locally as “Hawaii Recycles Day.” Schools submit a final report of how much they recycled by volume or weight.
Once reports are received and verified, KAB will announce the top school winner for each state in early 2015.
This year, Hawaii has a record number of schools from Oahu, Maui and the Big Island competing.
Participating Big Island schools are Keaau Elementary, Kealakehe Elementary, Kohala Middle, Konawaena High, Pahoa High, St. Joseph High and Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle schools. Four winning schools in the state will receive cash prizes donated by local sponsors Lex Brodie’s Tire Foundation, Goodfellow Bros Inc. and Island Naturals Market and Deli.
In Hawaii, the Recycle-Bowl Competition is coordinated by Recycle Hawaii (www.recyclehawaii.org) and Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful (www.khib.org).
For more information about America Recycles Day and Recycle-Bowl Competition, visit www.americarecyclesday.org.
For more information about recycling events in Hawaii, contact Marsha Hee, education director of Recycle Hawaii, at hiartrecycle@gmail.com.