Manhattan Paper Challenge Offers Cash Prizes for Top Recyclers

Staten Island, N.Y.-based Pratt Industries, which operates a paper mill in the city, will offer up to $75,000 in prize money for the top paper and cardboard recyclers in Manhattan’s 12 community boards. The Manhattan Paper Challenge kicks off on July 1 and ends June 30, 2020.

The initiative involves measuring recycling statistics for Manhattan’s 12 community boards quarterly and annually and then comparing their numbers from the 2019 fiscal year ending June 30. AM New York reports that the top-prize winner for each quarter will receive $5,000, with second place receiving $3,000 and third place winning $2,000. Annual prizes are $20,000 for the first-place community board, $10,000 for the runner up and $5,000 for third place.

The report adds that Pratt has stipulated the prize money must be spent on playgrounds, gardens and other community improvement projects. The company is organizing the challenge with the City of New York Department of Sanitation, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board.

AM New York has more details:

New Yorkers never back down from a challenge — and here’s one that will make our city more environmentally-friendly.

Pratt Industries is offering up to $75,000 in prize money for the top paper and cardboard recyclers in Manhattan’s 12 community boards. The initiative, known as the Manhattan Paper Challenge, is being announced Monday morning and kicks off at the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

Pratt operates a paper mill on Staten Island that focuses on transforming discarded cardboard and paper into new pizza boxes and other corrugated boxes. And even though it receives close to 80 percent of the recycled paper collected across New York City, there is room for more.

Read the full article here.