PRESS RELEASE - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
17 May 2007

100% of Western Isles Schools sign up to Recycling Challenge

Yellow Woods Challenge 2007

Every school in the Western Isles are set to cash in on a competition to recycle as many old Yellow Pages directories as they can.

The Yellow Woods Challenge is the environmental schools competition run by Yellow Pages, working with the Woodland Trust and the Waste Aware Western Isles Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

Schools that collect the most directories per pupil will win hundreds of pounds in cash prizes and for every pound awarded to schools, Yellow Pages will give a matching pound to the Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity.

All participating schools will receive free educational materials featuring the campaign mascot, Kirk – a woodland creature that makes learning about recycling and the environment fun for children. Schoolchildren are also invited to create giant sculptures out of their old directories for the chance to win cash prizes of up to £1,000.

The Western Isles Challenge starts in May, with the new edition of the Yellow Pages directory being delivered to homes and businesses around the 30th. The Challenge will run until June 12th 2007 and the directories will then be produced into compost by the Council at the new Creed Park Environmental Centre in Stornoway.

Residents are encouraged to give their old 06/07 edition to their nearest participating school for recycling and to help them towards the chance of winning cash prizes.

Sharon MacKinnon, project officer for the Council, said: “We hope schools will do fantastic in this years recycling challenge and, with the help of the local community, beat last year’s total of 4,613 directories collected.”

Richard Duggleby, head of external relations at Yell, the publisher of Yellow Pages, said: “This is the fifth year that we have run the Challenge nationally and the enthusiasm and results among schools and local authorities continues to grow. It’s a simple and fun way for children to learn about the importance of recycling and their local environment.”

For more information visit: www.yellow-woods.co.uk or contact Sharon Mackinnon on the Waste Aware Helpline on 01851 709900.