For the first time ever, five Iqaluit schools are taking part in one of Northwestel’s key environmental initiatives, the company’s Directory Recycling Program. Under the program, schools are invited to collect out-dated Northwestel directories for recycling in order to qualify for cash awards from Northwestel for school programs and activities.

Participating schools in Iqaluit are École des Trois Soleils, Inuksuk High School, Joamie Ilinniarvik School, Nakasuk School and Nanook School (Apex).

“We wish all the schools the very best as they take part in this first year of the directory recycling program in Iqaluit,” said Anne Kennedy, Northwestel Director Communications. “This program has been very successful during the years it has run in the Northwest Territories, Yukon and northern British Columbia. We are delighted to bring it to Iqaluit this year. It’s a great opportunity for students to have a personal learning experience about the importance of recycling, to raise money for their schools, and to divert directories from our landfills.”

Schools earn $750.00 for meeting a target of two or more directories collected per student (Emerald Level), $500.00 for 1.25 or more directories per student (Jade Level) and $200.00 for one directory per student (Green Level). Northwestel also provides a smaller cash award of $100.00 for participating schools which do not meet the minimum requirements of the program.

“We are very interested in taking part in the Northwestel Directory Recycling Program,” said Terry Young, Principal of Inuksuk High School in Iqaluit. “The program is a great idea not only because of the immediate effect on the environment and the effort to recycle paper, but also because it has the potential to affect attitudes and make people more aware of the need for recycling.”

The program ends on May 23^rd, with the count due at the end of the month.Students, teachers and support staff have a few more weeks to obtain the directories from family, friends, neighbours, businesses and government offices, and bring them to collection boxes at the schools. Community residents may also help out by dropping directories off at participating schools.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.