Annual 'Books-for-Tablets' campaign launched

Sunday 22 April 2018

JT’s annual ‘Books-for-Tablets’ campaign has launched again, with primary school pupils being encouraged to collect old telephone directories to recycle them, in exchange for free tablets for their school.

For every 150 directories a school collects, JT will donate a pupil-friendly, touch-screen tablet to help students access the internet and use educational apps in a safe and secure environment.

The school that collects the most directories will also be taken on a tour of Lodge Farm in St Saviour, where pupils will learn about the dairy industry as well as how JT is helping farmers to introduce digital technology. The prize was chosen to align with the new 2018/2019 directory which features Roseland Roy Boy Tulip, a cow who lives on a ‘smart’ farm in Jersey, on its cover.

Last year a record 25 local primary schools took part in the campaign, collecting over 8,000 directories and securing over 50 FREE tablets between them. Winner, St Peter’s Primary School collected a staggering 1,425 directories and received nine new tablets from JT. St. Lawrence Primary School and St. Christopher’s Preparatory School came second and third having collected 680 and 608 directories respectively. Both schools received four tablets each.

Tamara O’Brien, JT’s Head of Customer Experience, said: “Our annual Books-for-Tablets recycling campaign aims to combines environmental awareness with digital education. This year, we hope that even more primary schools take part, so we can recycle more directories and be able to donate even more tablets. JT is an Eco-Active Business, so we try to take every opportunity we can to help the environment.

"This year our chosen charities are Littlefeet Environmental and Jersey Marine Conservation, underlining our commitment to help protect and preserve the island we live and work on. Although the Books-for-Tablets campaign is aimed at primary schools, we hope to encourage all households to recycle their directories at the drop-off points we provide around the Island.”

Schools have until 25 May to collect the phonebooks for the campaign which aims to encourage islanders to reduce waste and teach children about the importance of recycling.