The Aluminum Can and Plastic Bottle Recycling Competition— sponsored by GHC Reid and Co. Ltd., ASG Department of Commerce, and the Department of Youth and Women's Affairs — is in full swing. The competition kicked off on July 2 and will end December 31 this year.

Schools and youth groups across the territory are the only ones allowed to participate, although individuals and/or family members can donate recorded pounds to the youth group or school of their choice.

A total of 28 youth groups and schools are participating in the program which will give them a financial boost and help the environment as well.

The grand prize for the competition is $1,000 cash. Second place will get $750, third place will receive $500, fourth place will get $250, and fifth place will take home $100. All groups that place sixth to tenth will each receive $75 and consolation prizes will be awarded to all participants.

DYWA Deputy Director Tapumanaia Galu Satele Jr. said in an initial interview the competition is part of the initiative under Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga’s proclamation to celebrate and recognize July as Youth Month in American Samoa.

He said DYWA Director-designee Pa’u Roy Taito Ausage and the rest of their committee agreed that the recycling competition is a wonderful program for the youth to allow them to earn extra money for their  group, and at the same time beautify our island and contribute to efforts in conserving the environment. 

"While the competition is slated to end in December, the DYWA hopes to keep it going until the territory is free of plastic bottles and aluminum cans," Pa'u told the Samoa News yesterday.

The only recyclables accepted are aluminum and plastic beverage cans and bottles. All items must be weighed-in at the GHC Reid compound in Tafuna, and the original receipt of pounds recorded there must be submitted to the DYWA Office for tallying within two days after the items are weighed. 

Pounds of aluminum cans and bottles collected and weighed as of yesterday, are as follows:

YOUTH GROUP    ALUMINUM lbs.            PLASTIC BOTTLES lbs.            TOTAL

Assembly of God Aua            628             416            1,044

CCCAS Laulii                        47            138            185

First Samoan Full Gospel (Afono) 104            83            187

Nazarene Church Youth Nu'uuli  1,118            289            1,407

Seventh Day Adventist (Aua)            63            68            131

Seventh Day Adventist (Iakina)            744            282            1,026

Seventh Day Adventist (Tula)            239            57            296

Methodist Church Youth (Nuuuli)            40            48            88

More information on the recycling program can be obtained by contacting Pa'u directly at 733-4337, and DYWA is still accepting applications from interested groups.