Paper Retriever Asks You: 'How Does Recycling Impact the Environment?'

HOUSTON, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Paper Retriever, a community paper-recycling program, today announced a competition aimed at encouraging individuals to be good stewards of the environment. Until November 12, Paper Retriever will call on the public to submit their creative answer to the question "How does recycling impact the environment?" online at www.paperretriever.com to celebrate America Recycles Day.

The winner, as judged by online voting, will receive $5,000 for their original artwork, written word, photographic, or video response illustrating how recycling impacts the environment. In addition, Paper Retriever will also make a $500 donation to the Paper Retriever host location of the winner's choice. The winning entries will be announced on America Recycles Day, November 15, 2010.

"Paper Retriever strives to educate individuals about the benefits of recycling as a whole," said Sylvain Longval, Vice President of Recycling, North America, for AbitibiBowater. "By simply dropping off recyclable paper at Paper Retriever bins across the country, individuals can lessen their carbon footprint while also contributing to their local community. "

Schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations in cities across the country place distinctive green and yellow Paper Retriever bins in highly visible areas outside their organizations where they as well as members of the community can donate their recyclable paper. The nonprofit organizations are then paid based on the tonnage that their bin collects. Those funds can be used for textbooks, playground repair, even school field trips or other programs. Every ton of recyclable paper diverted away from landfills conserves 3 cubic yards of landfill space, saves 4,000 kilowatts of electricity, 7,000 gallons of water and almost 400 gallons of oil.

Community members who'd like to help local Paper Retriever partners participate can visit www.paperretriever.com to locate the most convenient bin, as well as learn more about what types of paper can be recycled through Paper Retriever.  

About Paper Retriever

Paper Retriever is a simple paper-recycling program that directly benefits the community as well as the environment. Schools, churches and other nonprofit organizations house green and yellow Paper Retriever bins for members of the community to fill with recyclable paper goods. The nonprofit organizations are then paid for the amount of paper they collect. There are over 18,000 Paper Retriever locations and over 26,000 Paper Retriever bins hosted in 23 major metropolitan areas across the United States. In 2009, materials recycled through Paper Retriever generated more than $3.8 million for over 15,000 nonprofit organizations.  Paper Retriever is a subsidiary program of AbitibiBowater. For more information, visit www.paperretriever.com or head to www.facebook.com/paperretriever.  

SOURCE Paper Retriever