The North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority (NBMUA) announced the winners of their First Annual “Go Green, Save Green” Poster Contest on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The winners were announced at the North Bergen High School. Twelve prize winner's artwork appear in the MUA’s 2013 calendar, including 35 honorable mentions. The winners have their artwork  in the 2013 MUA calendar, with a winning poster for each month. The calendars were distributed throughout the North School District this month.

Grand prize winner eighth grader Mouhammadou Dado’s artwork appears on the side of a NBMUA recycling truck in addition to appearing in the calendar. Winner Mouhammadou Dado also received an Apple iPad.

The First Annual “Go Green, Save Green” Poster Contest was conducted for a month, beginning on Monday, October 15 auntil November 15, in honor of America Recycles Day. Thousands of student submissions were narrowed down to a just a few. Winning posters had to demonstrate that the student grasped the concept of saving money through recycling. Once the 12 winners were selected, the contestant who best illustrated the “Go Green, Save Green” concept was then chosen. Members of the NBMUA, Board of Commissioners, Mayor Nicholas Sacco, and township residents were invited to vote.

Staff involved with the contest were Superintendent Robert Dandorph, Assistant Superintendent Sacco, Gifted and Talented Program Coordinator Heather Carline, and the district’s art teachers.

“The artwork displayed throughout this calendar is not only amazing, but it teaches us all how recycling is not only good for the earth, but saves us lots of money,” said Mayor Nicholas Sacco in the calendar.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce the first annual North Bergen Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) ‘Go Green, Save Green’ Poster Contest,” said Executive Director Frank Pestana in the calendar. “We hope that this contest was not only a learning experience for our students, but will help them relate to the many real world benefits of recycling.”

Dabo’s father, Elmoubarack, was so touched by his son’s success that he wrote a letter to Carline. The Dabo family, who originate from Africa, have witnessed what a difference a community-based town like North Bergen makes.

“I am always amazed how teachers in this country and in North Bergen in particular get involved in the children’s education,” said Elmoubarack in the letter. “The way local authorities get involved in all events and how they are close to the population is remarkable. Last Wednesday was exceptional. Who could imagine that little African boy would win a Grand Prize in a citywide contest and have his work posted on a municipal truck? Our family back in Africa is extremely excited and this is a first for all of us.”

The funds for the prizes were provided by a $156,715 Tonnage Grant from the state Department of Environmental Protection in order to help implement and further enhance recycling efforts.

And the winners are…

View List of Winners Here

 We all know that recycling has a lot of benefits: it helps protect the environment by taking trash out of landfills and reusing paper, plastic, electronics and more. Recycling encourages people to not litter and keeps North Bergen looking clean. But there’s another huge reason to recycle that you might not know about -- It saves real money and can help lower taxes!

When North Bergen disposes of trash it has to pay dumping fees in order to use landfills and similar facilities. However, when residents recycle the MUA receivesmoney back from private recycling companies. For example, if North Bergen residents were to increase the amount of recycling by just 10%, the MUA would save over half a million dollars! Thus, if more people in North Bergen recycle it will lead directly to the MUA spending less money on dumping and disposal and needing less funding from the township. It all means a lower property tax bill, saving you real money! All we need to do to make it happen is recycle.