(Belfast) Reduce, reuse, raise money - Community

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Reduce, reuse, raise money

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BELFAST (Nov 11): Two new recycling efforts are taking place in communities across Maine, including Belfast.

Schools and other community groups are being challenged to collect used yogurt containers and used drink pouches as part of a statewide program that allows schools to raise funds while teaching students about recycling and the environment.

Schools and other community groups may sign up for free, pay no shipping costs, and earn 1 cent for every drink pouch or 2 cents for Honest Kids Drink Pouches.

In the Yogurt Brigade, schools will earn 2 cents for 6-ounce yogurt containers, and 5 cents for 32-ounce yogurt containers. All yogurt containers must be cleaned.

Fruit drink pouches are a staple in American schools' cafeterias. According to the Container Recycling Institute, 3.6 billion drink pouches are annually produced. Because the material used to makes these pouches is nonrecyclable, virtually every single one is sent to a landfill.

Similarly, more then 10 billion yogurt containers are consumed annually in America. In the case of Stonyfield Farm, its yogurt cups are made from Polypropylene Plastic No. 5. A study by the Center for Sustainable Systems determined No. 5 was the most environmentally preferable choice of plastics available for Stonyfield Farm yogurt because it allows for the cups to use a minimal amount of plastic. However, since many recycling centers are not equipped to handle No. 5 cups, Stonyfield Farm has teamed with TerraCycle to save these containers from the landfill.

The programs are designed to allow the nation's schools, houses of worship and other organizations to help the environment while raising money for charity.

Honest Tea and TerraCycle are challenging America to help rescue and reuse 1 million pouches in the next 12 months. The pouches will be made into handbags of various sizes and styles and are tentatively scheduled to be sold at major retailers in 2008.

The programs are open for any organization or charity to sign up today. Visit terracycle.net/brigades to sign up.