Recyclebank Funds 29 Eco Projects with Green Schools Program
Philadelphia school wins most innovative project, is awarded a year’s supply of paper from Domtar in a ceremony today
NEW YORK CITY and PHILADELPHIA, May 14, 2014 /3BL Media/ — Recyclebank®, the company that inspires and rewards smarter, everyday choices for a more sustainable future, today announced that through this year’s Recyclebank Green Schools Program, it will fund environmental projects at 29 schools across the country. Each year, the Recyclebank Green Schools Program awards grants for unique environmental projects that positively affect students, schools and communities. Recyclebank’s partner Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS), the sustainable paper company, helped make more green projects a reality by contributing additional donation dollars to participating schools.
As part of its support for the Green Schools Program, this year Domtar also planned to award a year’s supply of Domtar EarthChoice® Office Paper to the school with the most innovative project. It chose C.W. Henry School in Philadelphia, Pa. as the winning school, and will present the prize to the school during a check ceremony this morning.
“Through the Recyclebank Green Schools program, we teach children how to turn sustainable ideas into action and inspire them to make a real impact in their classrooms and communities. Each year we are incredibly impressed by the creative projects submitted by schools. This year was no exception,” said Paul Winn, executive vice president and general manager, community solutions at Recyclebank. “A special thanks to our partner Domtar who took that extra step to bring more student projects to life once again.”
After participating in the Green Schools Program to fund the creation of a school garden in 2011 and 2012, this year the C.W. Henry School proposed to build upon its project to support environmental education through hands-on learning. The school plans to add sturdy trellises for established blackberry bushes and moveable trellises for seasonal crops like tomatoes. These enhancements will increase the garden’s productivity and aid in the harvesting process, providing the opportunity for students to eat fresh produce during the school day. Students and teachers will continue to participate in hands-on lessons on composting, watering and harvesting with a local farm educator and adult volunteers.
“Recyclebank, Domtar, and everyone who generously donated their Recyclebank points have made it possible for our garden to continue to grow,” said Fatima Rogers, principal of C.W Henry School. “The garden offers students the chance to learn through experience and fosters a genuine love for nature that they can carry with them after they leave our hallways. We’re honored that our project was deemed most innovative and thank Domtar for its generous donation. A year’s supply of EarthChoice Office Paper will go very far in our school.”
The Recyclebank Green Schools Program is an annual competition in its seventh year. Each year participating schools, their students and their communities work to encourage residents to donate Recyclebank points that the company then transfers into real dollars for schools—turning a community’s green actions into funds for a local school. Because of this year’s impressive submissions, Recyclebank is also funding up to 50 percent of each proposal that did not meet its goal.
In addition to providing a year’s supply of paper to the C.W. Henry School, Domtar awarded $500 to each school that was able to reach 50 percent of its donation goal. More than half of the 29 participating schools reached 50 percent of their fundraising goals and will receive funds from Domtar.
“Making sustainable choices is a core value for our business and we are proud to help instill that same mindset in students across the country,” said Paige Goff, vice president of sustainability and business communications at Domtar. “We would like to congratulate C.W. Henry School for its unique approach to environmental education, as well as all the participating schools for their dedication to creating a more sustainable future.”
Since 2007, Recyclebank Green Schools Program has granted almost $500,000 to more than 160 school projects. To learn about other student projects, visit https://www.recyclebank.com/contest.
ABOUT RECYCLEBANK
Recyclebank inspires and rewards smarter, everyday choices for a more sustainable future. It brings together people, businesses and communities to achieve real world impact. By participating in household recycling and learning how to live more sustainable lifestyles, more than 4.5 million people earn points that translate into real savings for community and national brands. Recyclebank’s online shop, OneTwine.com, combines the company’s sustainability expertise and rewards program to help people choose products that are better for their home, their wallet and the planet. A Certified B Corporation, Recyclebank is headquartered in New York City. For more information, visit www.Recyclebank.com or find us @Recyclebank or facebook.com/Recyclebank.
ABOUT DOMTAR
Domtar Corporation (NYSE: UFS) (TSX: UFS) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes a wide variety of fiber-based products including communication papers, specialty and packaging papers and adult incontinence products. The foundation of its business is a network of world class wood fiber converting assets that produce papergrade, fluff and specialty pulps. The majority of its pulp production is consumed internally to manufacture paper and consumer products. Domtar is the largest integrated marketer of uncoated freesheet paper in North America with recognized brands such as Cougar®, Lynx® Opaque Ultra, Husky® Opaque Offset, First Choice® and Domtar EarthChoice®. Domtar is also a leading marketer and producer of a complete line of incontinence care products marketed primarily under the Attends® brand name. Domtar owns and operates Ariva®, an extensive network of strategically located paper and printing supplies distribution facilities. In 2012, Domtar had sales of US$5.5 billion from nearly 50 countries. The Company employs approximately 9,300 people. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Brandon Pantano | Recyclebank
(212)-659-9934 | bpantano@recyclebank.com
Leah Conklin | Bateman Group for Recyclebank
(347)-382-9732 | recyclebank@bateman-group.com