The Secret Life of Paper

Thank You, David Hosono, Jr. of Oleai Elementary School

As they say, better late than never!Representative Cinta Kaipat and young environmentalist David Hosono, Jr. at the Flame Tree Arts Festival. David attends Oleai Elementary School, the same school Rep. Kaipat attended in 6th and 7th grade. David was spotted making several trips to the Beautify CNMI! booth to recycle their trash. Way to go, David! Good Job!!!

Recycling at Hopwood

The Hopwood S.A.V.E. Club members have been collecting recyclables from classrooms at school this year. The students recently volunteered their time on a Sunday to come to school and paint barrels for recycling around campus. We are hoping to receive a container soon so the recycled material can be stored and then hauled away by our trash collector.

It worked once, so we'll do it again

Saipan Tribune, Monday, January 29, 2007

Recycling 'Trick or Treat' a success
By Marconi Calindas
Reporter

Kagman residents were surprised when a number of high schools students knocked on their doors and screamed, “Trick or Treat!” in late January, but the trick or treat was intended for the Kagman residents' garbage.

Beautify CNMI!, together with some local high school volunteers, scoured the area Saturday for the recycling activity.

At least 58 school children helped in the event. Among them were 25 Kagman High School students and some volunteers from private schools such as Grace Christian Academy and public schools like Marianas High School. Some elementary schools also joined the environmental campaign group in collecting trash in Kagman.

Rep. Absalon Waki also participated in collecting trash from Kagman homes.

Mariana Islands Nature Alliance executive director and Beautify CNMI! Restoration Committee chairman Angelo Villagomez said the event was an overwhelming success.

“I didn't expect it, but I want to thank the Kagman residents for giving their trash, the high school students that took their afternoon for the activity,” he said.

The event hauled in a total of 330 lbs of trash from the Kagman homes, he added.

Beautify CNMI! volunteer Nina Rivera and Barrett Ristroph joined Villagomez in the event.

Rivera earlier said the event had a theme similar to Halloween. She said the environmental campaign group, together with the high school students, would be hopping from one house to another, knocking on doors, shouting “Trick or Treat” to collect trash from the Kagman residents.

She said Kagman High School student volunteers teamed up with Beautify CNMI! to turn recycling into a wacky yet productive event.

Villagomez said the residents of Kagman handed over aluminum cans, paper, cardboard, and plastic bottles to the students and other volunteers.

KHS senior Nadia Benjamin said the event was very impressive. “It was very successful and we had fun!” she said, adding though that some Kagman residents were not informed about the activity-the reason why some of the students had to wait minutes before the resident could put their trash together.

The volunteers started visiting Kagman homes as early as 1pm to collect trash.

Beautify CNMI! said if the event had been a success, volunteers would soon be "trick-or-treating" in other villages. “Please start saving recyclables and treat these volunteers to your finest trash.”

Beautify CNMI! in the News

Marianas Variety, Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Sister Remedios wins Christmas tree contest
By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

Students from the Sister Remedios Early Childhood Development Center won the Christmas tree decoration contest at the Paseo De Marianas in Garapan.

The students decorated their tree with recycled materials and were awarded 50 points and the grand prize of $500.

Saipan Community School won second prize and $300 scoring 48.2 points followed by Oleai Elementary School which won $200.

Students from Garapan Elementary School and Tanapag Elementary School, who tied for fourth and fifth places, won passes to the water park at the World Resort Hotel and gift certificates from DFS.

Sixth place went to Kagman Elementary School which received the same prizes.

The contest, which was staged in partnership with the Beautify CNMI! coalition, aimed to instill in the minds of participants and spectators the importance of recycling as a means of proper and effective solid waste management.

More CNMI Recycles Day photos

The CNMI Recycles Day Team, at Cafe at the Park -- our last planning meeting before the big day!

CNMI Recycles Day Proclamation & Award Ceremony at the DPW Transfer Station

Students check out DPW's display on solid waste management in the CNMI.

Scrapbooking 101 with Elly Stoilova -- neat gift items made from recycled materials!