Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Forest Hill Public School wins MobileMuster’s “I can do that!” Schools Recycling Challenge

Forest Hill Public School, near Wagga Wagga in NSW has won MobileMuster’s “I can do that” schools recycling challenge, held in October / November last year. 

The Schools Recycling Challenge was a joint initiative with Landcare Australia, where for every 30 kg of mobiles collected MobileMuster donated $100 to Landcare Australia to help restore and protect bandicoot habitats.

A total of 178 schools collected just under 950 kilograms of mobiles, which included 8,400 handsets and batteries along with 430 kg of accessories.

Rose Read, Manager of the Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association’s (AMTA), mobile phone recycling program, MobileMuster, said Forest Hill Public School rounded up 38 kg of mobile phones, batteries, chargers and accessories, 7 times the average school collection of just over 5 kg.

Ms Read has presented Principal Ian Taylor (right) and the students of Forest Hill Public School a Starboard FX-DUO 77” Interactive Whiteboard (valued at $3,449) courtesy of Hitachi Australia, projector and the National School Champion Certificate.  Students also received MobileMuster pencil packs.

“As a result of the efforts of students and teachers at the participating schools across Australia, the habitats of 32 bandicoots will be made predator proof and have new trees planted, in addition to the community gaining greater awareness of their plight.

“We congratulate the students of Forest Hill Public School for their wonderful recycling efforts. It is tremendous to see them working together with their teachers and families to help the environment” said Ms Read.

Landcare CEO Heather Campbell said “It is fantastic to see the Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association together with school communities across Australia supporting Landcare to help restore and protect critical bandicoot habitats.”

View full Forest Hill press release here

Other State winners in the MobileMuster ’I can do that’ Schools Recycling Challenge were:

• Mundaring Primary School,  Western Australia - 26kg    (View Full Release)
• Ignatius Park College, Cranbrook, Queensland - 18kg     (View Full Release)
• St Mary’s College, Hobart, Tasmania - 18kg (View Full Release)
• St Augustine’s College, Kyabram, Victoria - 16kg
  St Thomas Primary School, Drysdale, Victoria - 16kg  (View Full Release)  
• Durack Primary School , Northern Territory - 15kg (View Full Release)
• Weetangera Primary School, Australian Capital Territory - 11kg (View Full Release)
• St John the Apostle, Christies Beach, South Australia - 9kg (View Full Release)  

For their efforts, each school and their students has received a School Champion certificate and every school that handed in 8kg of old mobiles and accessories or more for recycling will receive 10 great Milton MobileMuster and Billie Bandicoot Reward Packs!

For more information or to arrange an interview contact:
Rose Read, MobileMuster, Telephone: 02 8920 3555 or 0418 216 364
Email: rose.read@amta.org.au