LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

 (Laredo, TX ) The Borderplex Directory Recycling Contest does more than just encourage local schools to compete for a cash prize; it teaches them to be concerned about our environment and that recycling really does pay, and that is a valuable lesson everyone can learn. 

 Since October 3, students from Laredo I.S.D., United I.S.D. and the private schools have been collecting outdated phone books, to recycle and keep them from getting thrown in the City Landfill, using up precious landfill space and throwing away good recyclable material.  The top school from each category – LISD, UISD or PRIVATE – wins a cash prize of $600 for the school, a trophy and bragging rights as Willie Bote’s right hand partner in recycling.  This year, the local Habitat for Humanity chapter is giving each winning school a pizza party to celebrate their accomplishment.

 “Children are an important part of the recycling effort, because they remind adults to recycle, and by recycling, we can leave a better environment for them.  Thanks to our schools participating in these contests, with local teachers taking the time to teach recycling, Laredo children are learning the importance of saving our environment,” said Willie Bote. This year, a record number of schools participated.  44 schools from across Laredo competed this year; only 36 schools competed last year.  This year, 34,755 phone books were collected, compared to last year when only  23,401 phone books were collected, an increase of 11,354 books. 

 “WOW!  That alone deserves a great big round of applause, because that means that all of these schools and students who participated are true winners.  Already, we see how much your efforts to recycle, protect our resources and Keep Laredo Beautiful are paying off,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.  “That is something to be proud of.  I, along with the Laredo City Council and of course, Willie Bote, everyone’s favorite trashcan mascot, is proud of you. Awesome job!”

 “The Borderplex Directory Recycling Contest significantly impacts Laredo’s environment, while children learn more about recycling,” said Borderplex Regional Sales Manager.  “Hopefully, they will make recycling an important part of their daily life, keeping Laredo clean and beautiful, and preserving the Earth’s resources for much longer.  Borderplex is committed to going green, and with the help of Laredo’s students, we are doing just that,” he concluded. 

 A big congratulations goes out to this year’s winners:  UISD – Kazen Elementary with 2,159 phone books; LISD – Dovalina Elementary with 3,139 phone books; and PRIVATE – Mary Help of Christians Elementary with  4,217.

 According to a formula established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the total number of books collected by the students saved 709 trees; last year, it was 477 trees; this year, 291,242 gallons of water were saved; last year, it was 196,568 gallons of water; this year, children saved 137.63 cubic yards of landfill space; last year, it was 92.67cubic yards of landfill space; and this year, 170,995 kilowatts of electricity, compared to last year it was 115,133 kilowatts of electricity. 

 “I want to highlight these figures, because I think it is extremely important that we honor and recognize all the children for their efforts in collecting the books because there is a real and tangible impact to our local environment, to our resources.  Each year, they all participate in this very worthy contest, and maybe they might win, and maybe they won’t, but obviously, everyone is doing their darndest to try to win and to try to protect our environment.  These numbers are proof that win or lose, all of these kids are making a difference in Laredo,” concluded Mayor Salinas.