How can we be a positive force in reducing the amount of waste that goes into our landfills? The 3Rs are a start—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Or better yet, we can Upcycle—converting waste materials into fashionable bags, totes, pencil cases, and more! (Plus each eligible piece of trash can be redeemed for $.02 each.)
What items are eligible? Drink pouches, chip bags, cookie and candy wrappers, gum wrappers and packaging, pens and markers, tape dispensers, glue containers.
Upcycling in action: To encourage upcycling, the Kalihi Valley nonprofit KAUPA held a fundraising contest during Spring Semester 2010 at Kalihi Waena Elementary School. Ms. Honold’s 4th-grade class collected the most items for upcycling, and donated the proceeds to KAUPA’s nonprofit efforts. In return, the kids were rewarded with a Chuck E. Cheese Pizza Party!
Another contest will be held during the Fall Semester, so get your family, school, work, church, sports, or neighborhood together and start gathering those items we usually throw away. For more information, email kaupa4kalihi@hawaii.rr.com, or call Barbara Natale at (808) 381-3643.
Mahalo for helping to divert waste from the landfill, and making Oʻahu an even more beautiful place . . .
