Recycling Contest Begins Again

Americans are getting better at recycling every year: In 1992 they recovered more than 33 million tons of paper for recycling, according to the American Forest & Paper Assn. (AFPA). To encourage the trend, AFPA is accepting entries for its fifth annual “Best Paper Recycling Story” contest.

Five national $500 awards and 20 regional $250 awards will be presented. Stories may be entered in these categories: individuals / families; schools; corporations / businesses; charities / service clubs; and municipalities / states.

The entries, either essay or home video, should describe the paper collection or advocacy program, its history, pick-up method and quantities and type of paper recovered. They should be postmarked by June 15 and sent to: “Best Paper Recycling Story” Contest, 485 Madison Ave., 4th Floor, New York, N.Y., 10022. Winners will be selected on the basis of creativity, scope and impact.

Past winners have ranged from the predictable (a program recycling office paper) to the unexpected (a paper-brick doghouse). Entrepreneurial grade school students created jewelry from paper and a Bicentennial Society paid off the mortgage on a historic house with recycling profits. And a dairy farmer discovered newspapers made perfect bedding for the barn floor.