Since it was first established in 2002, Northwestel's Directory Recycling Program has enjoyed one successful year after another, thanks to the many students, teachers, parents and community members who have enthusiastically participated. 

The program was established with two main goals in mind:

1) To give northern schools a new way to raise donation dollars from Northwestel for their programs, and

2) To create a hands-on way for students to participate in a "green" initiative.

The program diverts out-dated Northwestel directories from community landfills and ships them to recycling centres in southern Canada. Students, teachers and support staff at participating schools collect old directories from family, friends, neighbours, businesses and government offices, and bring them to collection boxes at the schools. Northwestel rewards schools with cash contributions to be used for school activities and programs.

The program begain in Yellowknife and Whitehorse, but through the years it has expanded to schools in other northern communities.

At the close of the 2009 program, more than 87,000 directories had been collected and sent for recycling. Throughout the life of the program so far, Northwestel has contributed more than $126,000.00 to schools in the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and northern B.C.

The award for each school varies between $750.00 and $100.00 per year, depending on the number of directories that the school collects and its total student population. More than 40 schools have benefited from the program.

Northwestel is grateful to its partners in this program, which include the municipalities of Whitehorse and Yellowknife, as well as several local shipping companies.

Students at N.J. MacPherson School in Yellowknife took part in the 2009 Northwestel Directory Recycling Program, together with 41 other schools in the N.W.T., Yukon and Northern B.C.

Photo: Caitlin Cleveland

In 2004, 21 schools in four communities in the Yukon and the N.W.T. took part in Northwestel's Directory Recycling Program. Northwestel President Paul Flaherty (back row, right) presented cheques to students from Christ the King Elementary and Grey Mountain Primary Schools in June 2004. He was joined by Whitehorse Mayor Ernie Bourassa (back row, left).

Photo: Cathie Archbould

In 2003, 14 schools in Yellowknife and Whitehorse took part in Northwestel's Directory Recycling Program. Northwestel President Paul Flaherty (front row, centre) presented cheques to students and staff from K' alemi Dene, J.H. Sissons, Mildred Hall and Weledeh Catholic Schools in Yellowknife, in May 2003. He was joined by Yellowknife Acting Mayor Dave McCann (front row, 4th from right).

Photo: Fran Hurcombe