Environmental Programs that Enhance Life

Annual School Recycling Program

In 2001, EcoEléctrica launched the Annual School Recycling Contest with the Chamber of Commerce of Ponce and Southern Puerto Rico with the intention of educating the participants as to the importance and benefits of recycling in their communities. The contest was successful in delivering this message and the students and parents, as well, became involved in the recycling efforts. The students were very enthusiastic and removed a significant amount of recyclable materials from the waste stream, as shown in the following table.

Number of Schools Participating	School Year	Recycled material collected (white paper - newspaper -aluminum)
18	2001-2002	617,678 lbs.
28	2002-2003	687,332 lbs.
39	2003-2004	673,215 lbs.
39	2004-2005	691,153 lbs.
38	2005-2006	694,343 lbs.

Environmental Education in Elementary Schools

EcoEléctrica provides students with the opportunity of learning about endangered species, such as the manatee through the creation of a bilingual educational poster that teaches them what is a manatee, what threatens them, and what can be done to protect them. The poster has been distributed to schools and at various forums. Upon request, talks are provided to schools on the environmental benefits of natural gas, the importance of protecting natural resources such as sea grasses and corals, and on the environmental and mitigation projects that the company operates. The promotion and participation in science fairs is another opportunity for EcoEléctrica to enhance environmental awareness in students.

EcoEléctrica, in partnership with the Carlos Manual Amador Foundation, distributed specially designed ecological books in 2003 to elementary schools in Peñuelas and Guayanilla. The four books and music CD tell the tales of Carlitos, an adventure-seeking boy, as he explores Puerto Rico 's countryside and promotes the conservation of natural resources.