Recyclers receive reward
'If we don't get rid of stuff, we can turn it into something new,' says Grade 2 student
Stewart Burnett
Northern News Services
Monday, May 30, 2016
IQALUIT
For collecting 380 Northwestel phone directories, students at École des Trois-Soleils were rewarded with $750 by the telecom company.
Students Naja Ejesiak, Jayko Ejesiak and Emmanuel Choquette with their phone directories. - Stewart Burnett/NNSL photo |
Bertrand Poisson, Northwestel general manager for Nunavut, said that came out to an average of four books per student.
"That's amazing," he said at a presentation May 26.
"I'm very pleased and grateful for you guys to be working with your teachers and collecting phone books this year."
Grade 2 student Thomas Bartin explained succinctly to Nunavut News/North the importance of recycling.
"If we don't get rid of stuff, we can turn it into something new," he said.
Bartin has been learning about recycling since he was five.
Iqaluit Mayor Madeleine Redfern attended the presentation.
"We're really happy that you participated in the Northwestel program with the collection of the telephone books because primarily reducing what we put in the landfill, which is our dump, is really good, as it means that we have more space for the things that we need in the dump," she told the students.
Redfern referenced the 2014 dump fire in her speech.
"By looking at how we manage the dump in the future when we have a new site, part of it is having a recycling program," she said.
Principal Guy Belanger said his school has a number of environmentally conscious initiatives, such as using old paper, cardboard and foam pieces for artwork.
"It's very important that children are understanding the principle of this," he said.
Soon, he will lead students to do a cleanup of the tundra around the school area.
Poisson said the effort demonstrated by the students every year is remarkable.
"By diverting these directories from the landfill, these students are showing their commitment to building a greener tomorrow, and Northwestel is proud to celebrate and reward their success," he said.
The Northwestel directory recycling program is held annually to invest in Northern communities while also promoting environmentally friendly standards.
Since 2002, more than 175,000 directories have been collected and recycled by students across Nunavut, Northwest Territories, British Columbia and the Yukon.
