Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Office of Waste Management announces the winners of its annual Alachua County Phonebook Recycling Competition.  The Archer Community Center received first prize in the two top categories.  They won the total number of books collected (3,630) and the average pounds per student (415) categories.  The runner-up for total books collected was the High Springs Community School and runner-up for average pounds per student was the Sidney Lanier Center.  The total number of phonebooks collected in the competition was 8,265 weighing in at 33,060 pounds. 

All Alachua County Schools are encouraged to participate in this annual competition which takes place in January and February.  The pounds per student category allow smaller schools to compete fairly with larger ones.  The cash awards for the top three in each category are $500, $400, and $300.  In addition to the cash prizes for the winners, each participating school's recycling team receives a pizza party courtesy of Gator Dominos.

"When recycled these phonebooks are turned into new products such as cardboard, cereal boxes, and brown paper bags," Alachua County Waste Alternatives Manager Sally Palmi said, " This is a wonderful way for these young people to have fun while learning about the importance of sustainability."

For more information, contact the Alachua County Office of Waste Alternatives at 352-374-5213.