PROJECT SAVES TREES AND LANDFILL SPACE

More than a half-dozen Cape Girardeau Girl Scouts tossed old telephone directories into a recycling bin to kick off "Project ReDirectory" Friday afternoon.

The program, sponsored by Southwestern Bell and Yellow Pages, is in its second year and is designed to encourage people to recycle outdated telephone books.

"This is an exciting event," said Craig Felzien, area manager for Southwestern Bell "Last year was our first year for the recycling project and our community did an outstanding job of collecting 21,300 phone books 22 percent of those distributed. We gathered 11 tons of materials to be transformed into toilet paper, shingles and paper towels."

Felzien, speaking during a special press conference held at Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway, said the recycle project resulted in the saving of 181 trees. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.'s new Cape Girardeau telephone directory was also unveiled.

The new directory, featuring listings of almost 30,000 residences and businesses, will be delivered to 61,854 households and businesses in Cape Girardeau, Jackson and the surrounding area.

The cover of the new directory features the Missouri dogwood the state tree in full bloom.

The new directory includes sections on Advance, Altenberg, Bell City, Benton, Chaffee, Commerce, Delta, Farrar, Frohna, Jackson, Kelso, Lutesville, Marble Hill, New Wells, Oak Ridge, Patton, Poahontas and Scott City.

"We want to do better this year with our recycling program," said Felzien. "Our goal is one-in-three for 1993. By collecting and recycling a third, or 31,000, outdated phone books we can save about 272 trees from being cut for paper, and save approximately 52.8 cubic yards of landfill space."

Southwestern Bell is enlisting the help of local governments, schools and 15 area businesses in the 1993 campaign. A special challenge is being issued to area schools.

"Every school in Cape Girardeau and Jackson that participates in Project ReDirectory is eligible to win," said Felzien. "The class that collects the most directories in each school will receive an ice-cream float party."

Schnucks will host the parties in Cape Girardeau, and Schapers IGA Foodliner will sponsor the parties in Jackson.

The school that collects the most directories per capita, area-wide, will receive a $1,000 grant from Southwestern Bell and Yellow Pages.

Students will find plenty of competition in the campaign.

"Domino's Pizza will give $1 discounts on delivered pizzas to customers who surrender a telephone directory to the delivery man; the city of Cape Girardeau will pick up outdated directors left at curbside, along with other recyclables."

"This is the first year for the curbside pickup of telephone directories," said Mary Ellen Klein, environmental services coordinator for the city of Cape Girardeau. "All we ask it that they be bundled separately from other recyclables."

State Sen. Peter Kinder (R-Cape Girardeau) is honorary chairman for Project ReDirectory.

"We can care for our earth a little better just by doing something as simple as recycling our directories," said Kinder. "Our students get involved in a big way. This project has the same feel of pulling together for the common good as when we worked together against the threat of the flood."

Kinder, a former Eagle Scout, challenged Boy Scouts to get involved in future programs.

Project ReDirectory was kicked off Friday by Girl Scouts from the Otahki Girl Scout Council, which serves 11 area counties, throwing the first books into the recycling bin.

"The Girls Scouts are interested in recycling and using resources wisely," said Girl Scout member Vicki Ventrella.

Directory recycling sites are located at the following sites: Schnucks, 19 S. Kingshighway; JCPenney's, West Park Mall; all Boatmen's bank sites; Student Recreation Center at Southeast Missouri State University; Schaper's IGA, 528, W. Main in Jackson; city of Jackson, 416 Florence; and Cape Girardeau Recycling Center.