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April 23, 2010 For more information, contact: Solid Waste District Announces Winners in Earth Day Poster, Trash Art Contest ST. JAMES—Forty-one students were honored for their entries in the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District's 2010 Earth Day Poster and Trash Art Contest. Some 869 entries—759 posters and 110 trash art creations—were received from 16 schools in Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, and Pulaski counties. Earth Day was April 22, and winning entries were exhibited at the Missouri University of Science and Technology’s Earth Day celebration April 22 on the Rolla campus and at the Fort Leonard Wood Earth Day Celebration later in the spring. This is the eighteenth year that Ozark Rivers has sponsored the contest. These poster and trash art contests are a part of the district's effort to increase awareness of the solid waste problem and to generate interest in reducing the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. Education and awareness are key components of the district's solid waste management plan. Once again, area banks have been asked to cosponsor this year's contest by providing savings bonds. Sponsors include Legends Bank of Linn, Legends Bank of Owensville, Legends Bank of Belle, Heritage Community Bank of Chamois, Maries County Bank (Vienna), Community Bank of Owensville, a branch of the Maries County Bank, First State Community Bank of Potosi, Peoples Bank of Steelville, Peoples Bank of Cuba, Phelps County Bank, The Bank of Salem, Unico Bank of Potosi, Citizens Bank of Newburg and Town and Country Bank of St. James, First State Community Bank of Sullivan, Belle State Bank, Belgrade State Bank (Belgrade) and Mid America Bank (Belle). “Our entry numbers were up tremendously this year, and the quality of the work was extremely good, and that made judging very difficult and time-consuming,” said Tammy Snodgrass, environmental programs manager for Meramec Regional Planning Commission. “We had some very creative posters, and the trash art was wonderful. We were amazed at the creativity of some of these students," said Teri Smith, MRPC environmental specialist, who coordinated this year’s program. “We want to thank the teachers that helped their students participate and helped their students to be more aware of recycling.” This year’s theme was “Be Green! Keep the Planet Clean.” Both the poster and trash art contests were open to all grades, and students could enter both contests. First-place winners received $50 savings bonds, and second-place winners received earth friendly prizes. Certificates were also awarded for honorable mentions. Every student that participated will receive a small gift. The Ozark Rivers District has developed a solid waste management plan to reduce by 40 percent the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. The district’s plan focuses primarily on recycling, education and assisting large generators with waste reduction. MRPC provides day-to-day administration to Ozark Rivers and carries out its programs. Persons needing solid waste information should contact Tammy Snodgrass at (573) 265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org. Click here for list of winners by school. |