For Immediate Release
February 27, 2002

Contact:
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.regionalwaste.org

PORTLAND, Maine - The Recycling Committee of Regional Waste Systems, Inc., a non-profit municipal solid waste and recycling organization serving 27 cities and towns in southern Maine, has launched its second annual essay competition for high school students accepted or enrolled in a two- or four-year college. The winner will receive a $1,500 scholarship to be used toward tuition, books or other college fees.

This year's essay topic involves the comic strip "Blondie" and asks students to answer a question about recycling and solid waste management. The RWS Recycling Committee obtained copyright permission from the comic strip for the contest, which asks students to: "Develop an argument or creatively express a viewpoint in which you take a position and address the cartoon's ironic commentary on the everyday waste management and recycling dilemma confronting these characters, and by implication, all of us."

Materials will be evaluated and judged by the volunteer recycling committee, made up of RWS board members from member communities: Carol Fritz, Chairperson, Cape Elizabeth; Susan McGinty, Vice Chair, Cumberland; Scott Seaver, North Yarmouth; Jack Dawson, Portland; Nick Mavodones, Portland; Troy Moon, Portland; Bill Bray, Portland; John Boyden, Windham; Harold Meade, Bridgton; Jim Cloutier, Portland; George Flaherty, Portland; Len VanGaasbeek, Hollis; John Lufkin, Portland; Bonnie Anderson, Falmouth; and Randy Cookson, Gray.

The essay competition rules and entry form can be found at the organization's web site,
http://www.regionalwaste.org. Essays are due by April 15, and may be submitted by high school seniors who are residents of any of the 27 cities and towns served by RWS. They are: Baldwin, Bridgton, Cape Elizabeth, Casco, Cumberland, Falmouth, Freeport, Gorham, Gray, Harrison, Hiram, Hollis, Limington, Lyman, Naples, North Yarmouth, Ogunquit, Parsonsfield, Porter, Portland, Pownal, Scarborough, South Portland, Standish, Waterboro, Windham, and Yarmouth.

Students may obtain and submit an application to: Recycling Essay Competition, Regional Waste Systems, Inc., 64 Blueberry Road, Portland, Maine 04102. For additional information, persons may call Missi Boothby at 773-6465. Applications may also be submitted by e-mail to rwssch@regionalwaste.org.

Regional Waste Systems, Inc. is a non-profit solid waste management corporation that is owned and controlled by 27 cities and towns. RWS has the largest, most comprehensive municipal recycling program in the state with more than 100 recycling bins in 60 locations throughout southern Maine. More than 16,000 tons of recycled material are processed each year. Established in 1974 after Portland, South Portland, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough decided to form a cooperative to handle their waste disposal, RWS today is governed by a 28-member board, consisting of officials appointed from member towns. RWS accepts solid waste and recycled materials from these communities. For additional information on RWS, visit the RWS web site at http://www.regionalwaste.org.

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