The Chester County Solid Waste Authority is urging kindergartners to collect cans for a recycling competition.

The county is inviting all kindergartners to collect as many cans as they can in an effort to win cash prizes for their school or classroom.

The  contest, organized by the Solid Waste Authority, starts Jan. 1, and ends Feb. 28.  Each participating school not only receives the proceeds from the redemption of cans, but also has the opportunity to win many different sponsor-based cash prizes up to $300 each for first place. Prizes will be based on the most pounds/per participant in each class.

In addition to first-, second-, and third-place, a $75 price will be given to the teacher with the highest class participation in both the public and private/parochial school categories.  The top home-school prize will be $125.  The first-place winners will also receive a Reecie Recycle bean-bag replica of Chester County’s official recycling mascot, and the coordinator will be awarded $75.

“I’m very excited about our sponsors this year; it’s going to be a heated contest,” said Dayle Anderson, who is running the competition. She said registration is required before Jan. 1 – a contact within the kindergarten program at each school must coordinate the effort. Entries are due by March 8. To receive an official entry form and contest guidelines, or to get more information, contact Anderson at 610-273-3771, ext.  *253.