New MC Blue

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New, New, New M.C. Blue

April 5, 2011…The Middlesex County Improvement Authority’s (MCIA) fully recyclable recycling education robot, M.C. Blue, has undergone quite a transformation, and he is making his debut today at the Community Nursery School in Metuchen and at a UMDNJ children’s program in Piscataway.

The new M.C. Blue is made from recycled aluminum and plastics. The head, chest and arms are all made of recycled plastic, mostly 1PETG and Class 8 ABS. His motor is actually a motor designed to move carts in a warehouse and has been recycled from that warehouse. This M.C. Blue is the third recycling robot that the MCIA has operated, and the thousands of school children and adults who enjoyed the previous M.C.Blue will be happy to know he has been returned to his Texas home at Probotics, and most of his parts will be recycled.

The MCIA operates the countywide, curbside recycling program and as part of its commitment to recycling, the MCIA offers recycling education programs to schools, civic organizations, senior clubs, business organizations and other groups, free of charge.

The new version of M.C. Blue has expanded digital audio capabilities and there is a video screen imbedded in his chest for displays of photos, art and video. M.C. Blue is an energetic robot who is dedicated to teaching good recycling practices. He presents recycling facts and at the same time he can jump into a rap song about recycling or saving energy. He transforms into M.C. Green for a program about saving energy.

There are a number of programs available, and each program is geared to a specific age group. They are:

"Planet Beauty” – MC Blue in his surfer dude personality rides in on the “Big Blue Wave” and talks about his own planet, where recycling rules. MC Blue gets 6 helpers from the audience to help play his especially cool game show, Green Trivia, that teaches the kids about how we recycle bottles, cans, newspapers and mixed papers. At the show’s climax MC Blue presents a reggae song, Catch the Blue Wave, to inspire the audience to help keep Mother Earth beautiful. (Appropriate for Pre K – grade 2)

“Recycle it or Not” – MC Blue teaches students about what materials we recycle here in Middlesex County. He rolls into your classroom or auditorium with a very cool rap song, and the rap song’s chorus reminds us that MC Blue is a fully recycled mechanical boy. Through pictures and video the children will see the how paper, plastic, glass and aluminum cans get recycled. They will see and hear what happens to the materials after they are picked up from the curb and how they can become something new. MC Blue quizzes the children by naming an object and asking them weather or not it gets recycled. The show ends with another lively rap. (2 versions of this show are available one appropriate for Pre K – grade 2 and the other for grades 3 - 6)

“Recycling Trivia Challenge” – MC Blue tests your knowledge of what is recyclable and how to recycle. Educational and fun, this multiple choice Middlesex County Recycling Trivia Challenge teaches students about recycling bottles, cans and paper and also about the importance of recycling grass, paint, tires and computers. (2 versions of this show are available one appropriate for grades 3 – 6 and the other for older children and adults)

“Recycling Show & Tell” – MC Blue offers a hands-on explanation of the recycling process. A chance to see and touch useful items made from recycled materials. As MC Blue shows students different items he gives a detailed explanation including videos and still photos showing how items are transformed from something that we recycle at the curb to something new that we can use. (Appropriate for grade 3 and up, but fun for adults too)

“Energy: Less is More” – MC Blue has transformed himself into MC Green and talks to the audience about living greener, conserving energy and making the earth a healthier place. MC Green explains how burning fossil fuels has changed the climate by putting too much CO2 into the atmosphere. MC Green encourages kids to use less energy and reduce their carbon footprint. Not to be outdone by MC Blue, MC Green does some rapping and rhyming all about saving energy. (Appropriate for grades 3 – 6)

“Recycling and the Landfill” – MC Blue explains how recycling impacts our own Middlesex County landfill and our environment. MC Blue provides the audience with interesting details, facts and statistics about how the landfill is operated with accompanying photos of landfill operations. It’s everything you want to know about solid waste and the environment. He shows us how recycling will help to extend the life of our landfill. (Appropriate for high school students and adult groups.)

MC Blue is booked through April but you can contact us to reserve a program for your school in May or June or for any upcoming summer events. For more information about M.C. Blue, please contact Jennifer Apostol at the MCIA Education Dept. at 609-409-5033 or email ja@mciauth.com.