FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Volvo Adventure to Judge E-Waste Project
IRVINE, Calif. – Don’t know what to do with that old computer? Just ask students at Babcock Middle School in Westerly, R. I. Their environmental project WIN ’05: Recycle and Re-use Our E-waste won first place and $1,000 in the Volvo Adventure national competition. They will represent the United States at the international final in Gothenburg, Sweden, May 6 – 11. The winning project focused on the proper way to dispose of used computers and other electronics. They refurbished over 100 computers and donated them to individuals and families who needed one.
The students from Babcock Middle School will travel to Gothenburg, Sweden to compete against winners from 14 other countries. Prizes consist of $10,000, $6,000, or $3,000 to continue funding environmental education. All of the 251 projects submitted globally (48 countries) are published on the Volvo Adventure website. All students participating in the Volvo Adventure Conference will contribute to the Volvo Adventure Statement to World Leaders – content and ideas about the environment are provided by the students. The judging panel consists of international experts from UNEP, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), Volvo Cars Corporation, Environmental Office, and AB Volvo.
Volvo Adventure is a joint project between AB Volvo, Volvo Cars and the United Nations Environment Programme. An internet-based environmental competition rewarding pro-active environmental action taken by students around the globe, Volvo Adventure gives young people the chance to gain international recognition for their local environment.
“Although all of the projects we received were impressive for different reasons, we chose the E-waste project because it showed the most visible signs of success,” said Roger Ormisher, Volvo Cars of North America, vice president, public affairs. “We want to encourage future participants of this program to create well-researched plans for realistic environmental progress within their community.”
Harbour Pointe Middle School in Mukilteo, Wash. Won second place and $500 for their project recommending local school buses be converted from diesel to biodiesel. Students attending Heidelberg Middle School on the US Army Base in Heidelberg, Germany, were awarded third place and $250 for their project Habitats for Animals, a heartwarming initiative to recreate homes such as bird houses and potted plants for species who have had their home threatened or destroyed by urban sprawl.
Volvo supports environmental education, practical environmental projects and environmental action. For more information on the Volvo Adventure program or to view student projects go to: www.volvoadventure.org.
Media Contact:
Freeman/McCue Public Relations
Tracy Caywood
(714) 557-3663, ext. 211
t.caywood@freemanmccue.com
