The competition is a joint venture between the Ministry of Health and Social Development, the Department of Waste Management and local non-profit company, Green VI.

Health Minister Carvin Malone in a media release from his ministry explained that the competition was designed to promote recycling in communities throughout the BVI.

He said: “I want to encourage everyone to register their children and for families as a whole to be a part of the collection effort. The overarching goal is to reduce the volume of waste at our incinerator and landfill. It is recognised that the progress is only sustainable if the Generation NEXT is involved from the onset.”

Deputy Director of Green VI Sarah Penney also commented, expressing gratitude towards her organisation’s long-standing collaboration with the government by supporting the logistics of the competition.

“I am so excited that we have another opportunity to work together to get more people to reduce, reuse and recycle. I hope participation is high and that we all continue to recycle long after the competition is over,” Penney stated.

How to participate

Students interested in participating in the competition can register online at www.greenvi.org where the guidelines will be listed. Once registered, participants will collect, rinse and separate items made out of glass, plastic or aluminium.

After collecting as many items prior to the closing December 30 date of the competition, participants will carry their recyclables to a drop-off-centre which will be specified for each island, where the items will be weighed and processed.

Persons with further queries can call 284-443-3354 for more information.