Joeten and MINA staff pose for a photo at Joeten Susupe with the silent auction prizes donated by JC Tenorio Enterprises.
AT an informal presentation of prizes at Joeten Susupe on Tuesday, Mariana Islands Nature Alliance leadership said their upcoming Green Gala will help keep MINA operational, allowing its community plastic recycling program to continue running.
MINA Executive Director Roberta Guerrero said the plastic recycling program is “running on fumes.”
As Variety previously reported, MINA received only 25% of American Rescue Plan Act funds originally allotted for the community plastic recycling program.
Thus far, MINA collects, cleans, and sorts used plastics from Dandan Middle School, Saipan International School, Northern Marianas Technical Institute, Northern Marianas College, Mount Carmel School, Saipan Community School, Oleai Elementary School, and the San Vicente Parish.
The plastics are sent through MINA’s various 3-in-1 upcycling machines which turn plastics into various items such as rulers, bag clips, plates, bowls, and large plastic sheets.
Some products produced by the upcycling machines will be highlighted at the gala.
MINA Program Director Becky Ada Furey said having a home base to operate from allows them to continue implementing programs that help the environment.
“That’s why the Green Gala is more important now than ever,” Furey said.
Other programs initiated by MINA include the Tasi Watch Ranger program, Bring Back Our Trees Campaign, and the Adopt-a-Bin program.
This year’s Green Gala occurs on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Hibiscus Hall of Crowne Plaza Resort. Individual tickets are $100.
Da Kine and DJ Rico are scheduled to perform separately at the gala, and MINA’s board of directors will present its Green Awards to community members.
A silent auction will also take place at the event. Among the silent auction prizes donated by JC Tenorio Enterprises Inc. are a man and woman’s 27.5 inch bicycle; a webcam; a projector kit; a deep fryer; a handbag; makeup, and more for a total value of $3,015.87.
Tickets to the event can be purchased at https://events.mvariety.com/MINA
MINA can be reached at its Gualo Rai office at (670) 233-7333.
