Annual Telephone Directory Recycling Program Benefiting Schools Begins

Schools on Maui benefit from the annual telephone directory recycling program sponsored by Berry Company, Inc.

By Sonia Isotov

Berry Company LLC, publisher of the Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages, has launched its annual telephone directory recycling program, enabling Maui County schools the opportunity to win cash prizes based on the tonnage of directories recycled by the school.

“Last year, our schools helped collect 64 tons of telephone directories across the neighbor islands,” said Scott Szczekocki, client services regional director for Berry Company LLC, publisher, in a statement released this morning. “The community response has been tremendous, and I look forward to another strong campaign this year.”

Though the Think Yellow, Go Green program, schools on Maui that collect the most directories per student will be awarded a cash prize of $800 for first place, $600 for second place, $400 for third place, $300 for fourth place and $200 for fifth place. Schools on Molokai have the opportunity to collect $500 for first place, $300 for second place and $200 for third place. Schools on Lanai will be awarded $350 for participation in this year’s program.

After the close of the contest on May 21, the recycled telephone directories will be shipped to Honolulu recycler, Island Shell. According to Berry spokesperson, the directories will then be converted into materials that are reused on the island, such as oil-absorbent materials, home insulation and mulch. Hawaiian Telcom Yellow Pages contain 40 percent post-consumer materials and are 100 percent recyclable.

In another environmental initiative, Berry is partnering with Hawaii Foodbank to host a community food drive. Berry is asking that the community use the new heavier-weight directory delivery bags and fill the bags with nonperishable food items that can be delivered to any Hawaii Foodbank drop-off location, the nearest Ruby Tuesdays, Hard Rock Café or NAPA Auto Parts store. The food drive will begin in May and continue throughout the summer.