Ontario Schools Win Green For Being Green!
The Recycling Council of Ontario and Metro Ontario Inc Announce the Winners of the 2010 Waste Free Lunch Challenge
TORONTO, Nov. 24 /CNW/ - From the 18th to the 22nd of October, over 50,000 Ontario students participated in the Waste Free Lunch Challenge (www.wastefreelunch.com) as part of Waste Reduction Week in Canada. Nearly 700 schools from 57 boards across the province participated in this year's Challenge, and the results were a great success. Ontario students successfully prevented approximately 50 tonnes of waste from being shipped to landfill sites.
Twenty classrooms were recognized as the most successful in reducing the amount of waste generated and will each receive $1,000 prizes donated by Metro, for use in school-based environmental projects. All registered students will receive a reusable aluminum water bottle in recognition for their efforts.
Designed to help schools reduce the amount of garbage they generate during the lunch hour, the program also educates students, staff and parents about effective waste minimization. "The Waste Free Lunch Challenge created an easy way to inspire and remind students and school communities that they are important role models in creating a better environment," said Jo-Anne St. Godard, executive director, Recycling Council of Ontario. "We don't think about waste created by one student's lunch, but multiply that by 1.5 million students every day and you have a significant and important opportunity."
The Recycling Council of Ontario and Metro Ontario Inc., are pleased to announce the winners of the Waste Free Lunch Challenge. The 2010 Waste Free Lunch Challenge winners are:
- Annunciation of Our Lord, Hamilton Wentworth Catholic School Board
- Erin P.S., Upper Grand District School Board
- Exeter P.S., Avon Maitland District School Board
- Golden Learning Centre P. S., Keewatin-Patricia District School Board
- Henderson Avenue P.S., York Region District School Board
- Lord Roberts French Immersion Public School, Thames Valley District School Board
- Mulberry Waldorf School, Kingston
- Northwood P.S., Greater Essex County District School Board
- Prince of Wales P.S., Hastings Prince Edward District School Board
- RH Crosby P.S., York Region District School Board
- South branch Elementary School, Upper Canada District School Board
- St. Cyril Catholic School, Toronto Catholic District School Board
- St. Francis of Assisi, Simcoe Muskoka District Catholic School Board
- St. Gabriel Lalemant, Niagara Catholic District School Board
- St. Gregory, Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board
- St. Hedwig, Durham Catholic District School Board
- St. Henry, Toronto Catholic District School Board
- St. Marguerite d'Youville, Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board
- St. Matthew Catholic Elementary School, York Catholic District School Board
- Walkerton P.S., Bluewater District School Board
The Waste Free Lunch Challenge follows Metro's Green Apple School Program, as an extension of its existing environmental initiatives. By participating in the program, Metro is furthering its commitment to encouraging environmental stewardship in Ontario students.
"The Waste Free Lunch Challenge was a great opportunity to educate our future generations on waste reduction," said Johanne Choinière, senior vice president, Metro Ontario. "We are extremely happy with the response from local schools regarding the Challenge and we want to congratulate all the winners and participants for making a difference."
A major source of waste in Ontario, the average elementary-school student's lunch generates 30 kilograms of waste per school year. During Waste Reduction Week, students from registered classrooms committed to bringing a waste-free lunch every day. A waste free lunch (sometimes called litter-less, smart, garbage-less or waste-not lunch) contains no throwaway packaging. All containers are re-sealable in order for all leftover food or drink to be consumed or composted later.
For more information, please visit www.wastefreelunch.com.
About The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO)
The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) Waste Free Lunch Challenge aims to support educators and students to reduce waste generated from school lunches. The Recycling Council of Ontario (RCO) is a not-for-profit, membership-based organization committed to minimizing society's impact on the environment by eliminating waste. RCO's mission is to inform and educate all members of society about the avoidance of waste, efficient use of resources, and the benefits and/or consequences of these activities. Since its inception in 1978, RCO has actively assisted municipalities, corporations, other organizations and individuals in reducing waste.
About Metro Ontario Inc.
Metro is a Canadian company with offices and operations in both Ontario and Quebec. Metro Ontario Inc. operates 155 stores under one conventional banner, Metro and 116 stores under one discount banner, Food Basics. The company employs over 30,000 people in Ontario. For further information, please visit metro.ca.
For further information:
Jo-Anne St. Godard
416 657 2797, ext. 3
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