NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Recycle: It's Never Too Early to Start

April 16, 2007 -- Children in Middlesex County can add "recycling" to the list of "Rs" learned in school.

The Middlesex County Improvement Authority is about to start the second phase of its "Book Recycling Program" at the Dunellen School District.

Launched late last year at the Grant Elementary School in South Plainfield, the effort produced 4.21 tons of paper and generated $250 for the school's general fund. More importantly, it taught the children the importance of caring for the planet.

"The parents were telling us how excited they were that their kids were learning about recycling," said Leo Whalen, principal of Grant Elementary School.

The program, which recycles out-of-date books that can no longer be used, also teaches children that having a green thumb is good for the pocketbook. Recycled materials from South Plainfield brought in $50 a ton, as opposed to the standard $20, because the children took the time to rip off hard covers from the books.

The next stop for the "Book Recycling Program" is Dunellen. A dumpster, provided by the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, will be placed at Dunellen High School. Students across the district will have several weeks to deposit items into the dumpster. Hard-cover and soft-cover books can be recycled, along with other items such as mixed paper and old files.

Ed Windas, recycling manager for the Middlesex County Improvement Authority, said the program will continue to make the rounds to school districts across the county.

For more information on recycling in Middlesex County, visit the MCIA's award-winning web site, www.mciauth.com, e-mail the MCIA Recycling Division at mciarecy@hotmail.com, or call Ed Windas, Recycling Director, at 732-628-0221.

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