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The Northern Ohio Chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) is again hosting a scholarship fundraiser that allows scrap recyclers to take the court at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena and then stay to watch LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

The event, which has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, from March 7, includes an afternoon tournament among scrap recyclers at the Quicken Loans Arena (formerly Gund Arena), seats to the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Charlotte Hornets basketball game and a pre-game dinner.

Last year, six teams participated, with the ISRI Michigan Chapter taking home the title. Lakeside Metals of Cleveland, Dart Metals Trading Co. of Youngstown, Metal Conversions Inc. of Mansfield, Slesnick Iron and Metals of Canton, plus the Pittsburgh ISRI chapter entered teams.

Those interested in attending the game or the dinner or in entering a team in the all-stars tournament should contact ISRI Northern Ohio Chapter Scholarship Committee member Michael Eisner of Lakeside Metals at (216) 458-7150.

NRC HONORS STARBUCKS

The National Recycling Coalition (NRC), Washington, presented its eighth annual "Recycling Works" recognition award to Seattle-based Starbucks Coffee Co. at a gala celebration in Washington in late January.

The "Recycling Works" award honors organizations that represent leadership in recycling, conservation and the fulfillment of the NRC’s mission.

"Starbucks has worked with its suppliers and customers since the company’s founding to implement a sustainability program that runs the gamut from waste prevention, recycling and composting to socially responsible buying guidelines for coffee and the implementation of measures aimed at reducing the company’s impact on global climate change," NRC Executive Director Kate Krebs says.

Krebs continues, "Most recently, Starbucks has shown incredible perseverance and leadership in working with its suppliers, Solo Cup Co., Mead-Westvaco and Mississippi River Corp., to develop a paper coffee cup that contains 10 percent post-consumer recycled paper—a first for this industry."

Starbucks president and CEO Jim Donald says, "We believe a healthy environment affects all people and that businesses are accountable to act responsibly. Environmental responsibility is core to Starbucks’s roots, and we are honored to receive this award from the National Recycling Coalition as we continue to minimize our environmental footprint across every level of our supply chain operations, from coffee bean to coffee cup."

Concerned about the problems associated with recycling the three- and five-gallon containers used with home and water office coolers, Primo Water has introduced a new "two-way" bottle that consumers can return to the company’s stores for refilling and recycling.

The bulk water containers used with water coolers can be too big to be handled properly by the sorting equipment used by recyclers. Recycling plant operators may have to invest as much as $300 million for additional collection and processing equipment to properly handle such containers, according to Primo Water.

Primo introduced the "two-way" bottles in May of 2005. Consumers simply exchange empty three- and five-gallon Primo Water bottles for full ones at any Primo Water display found in retail stores. The company then cleans and reuses the empties or grinds them down prior to recycling to avoid facility issues.

"With more than 350 million bulk water bottles being used by homes and offices today, the potential environmental issues created by a one-way proposition are staggering," Billy Prim, founder and CEO of Primo Water, says. "We do not believe that consumers who are interested in a healthier lifestyle will tolerate doing something that’s good for their bodies yet bad for the environment."

More information about Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Primo Water is available at www.primowater.com or by calling (877) COOLER-0.