the Island's used phone books.

BTC and partners, the Corporation of Hamilton, Island Press Ltd. and the Ministry of Works and Engineering are all involved in the project.

Project Directory Recycle will provide an environmentally responsible method for the disposal of the old directories.

This year, as well as shredding directories to be used for animal bedding locally, some of the directories will be packed in containers and shipped abroad to be recycled into paper.

Manager of corporate communications for BTC, Ona Fletcher said: "BTC is committed to preserving Bermuda's precious environment. One way to achieve this is to ensure that the 112 tons of paper used each year to produce our telephone directories is either recycled or reused.

"Project Directory recycle has become a priority throughout the island and BTC will do whatever it can to ensure this programme continues,'' she said.

The recycling project has two phases, the first of which is the collection of directories throughout the city of Hamilton.

This will take place on May 29, 30 and 31 and businesses and residents have been asked to place between six and 50 directories, either tied up or put in clear blue bags, in the normal trash pick up spot.

Hamilton Businesses and residents with more than 50 directories should schedule a special pick up day by calling the City's Works department on 295-6446. Phase two of the project involves school children collecting as many directories as they can.

The Schools collection period started on May 16 and runs until June 13. All primary and middle school students are invited to compete against each other to collect as many old directories as they can.

Island Press Ltd. will arrange a convenient time for pick up from each school during the week of June 18 to 22. All participating schools will be publicly acknowledged and a special presentation and a pizza party will be thrown for the class of the winning school that collected the most directories.