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Governor John P. de Jongh Jr. has proclaimed November 2011 as “Virgin Islands Recycle Month” in the territory to focus attention on recycling and ways to reduce the volume of reusable materials that end up in our landfills and waters.
The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority has initiated a public awareness program to promote the concept of protecting and preserving the environment through the recycling and reuse of waste materials.
“We all must do our part to keep our islands clean and protect the beautiful natural environment we have inherited. Recycling saves millions of dollars in disposal costs, reduces the volume of garbage at our landfills, and provides an avenue for everyone to help protect our environment,” de Jongh said.
Throughout the country, public-private partnerships will work to increase media attention and public support for recycling and waste reduction, and encourage consumers to purchase more recycled products.
The Waste Management Authority will be sponsoring several events throughout the month. All public, private and parochial elementary schools in the territory will participate in an aluminum can collection contest throughout November in which teachers, parents and students can help the environment while raising money for their schools. Applications are due by November 7.
WMA is also sponsoring recycling drives for residential electronic devices. These will be held between November 17-19 on St. Croix at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at the Williams Delight Office, and on St. Thomas at the Bovoni Landfill. St. John residents can recycle their electronic waste at Winston Wells Ball Park on November 14 and 15. The drives will be accepting computer parts, radios, cameras and all other electronic junk.
Several Virgin Islands stores on St. Thomas, St. Croix and St. John, including Cost U Less, Plaza Extra and Pueblo, will qualify shoppers to win a $25 gift certificate if they use a reusable bag on November 15.
“The Authority has been working diligently to educate our community on the benefits of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. We continue to facilitate recycling and to engage our community through several successful environmental programs, such as our Recycling Program Guide, Community Enrichment Grants, Event Recycling, and the Youth Environmental Summer programs. Partnership with our community organizations is essential to ‘Preserving Paradise’ as our motto prescribes all of us to do,” WMA Executive Director May Adams Cornwall said.
Cornwall encourages residents and businesses to consciously make green choices when shopping for and importing goods. “These efforts will go a long way in reducing litter and the tons of waste disposed at the landfills in the Territory.”
Waste Management is sponsoring other community outreach events and composting demonstrations across the territory. For more information about any of the events, call the Division of Environmental Programs at 777-3073.
Governor de Jongh calls upon Virgin Islanders to join him in the observance of Virgin Islands Recycle Month and to support recycling and anti-litter efforts that bring about a cleaner and healthier environment.
