City of Tampa Solid Waste Kicks Off 2022 3Rs Art & Poetry Contest

The City of Tampa’s Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management is calling for submissions for the 2022 3R’s Art & Poetry Contest.

The annual contest has begun accepting art and poetry submissions from students in grades 3 to 12, representing Tampa schools, homeschooling, the MacDonald Training Center and other City of Tampa programs.

The contest, now entering its 17th year, is an outreach education program that encourages participants to promote environmental stewardship through importance of the 3R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle; a message conveyed in the submitted artwork and poems.

Winning artwork will be displayed on recycling collection vehicles and winning poetry will be displayed at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.

“Every year we continue to be astounded by the incredible talent, words, and visuals created by our applicants," said Edgar Castro Tello, a recycling specialist for the City of Tampa. "Through their art, we want to challenge students to think beyond recycling and to embrace new waste reduction habits, bringing some focus to reducing and reusing. Bringing attention to the rising concerns of ocean pollution, litter, and waste production is a way these young artists can remind us all that it’s beyond just young people’s responsibilities, it’s all our responsibility,” 

All artwork and poetry must be submitted online or in person by February 4th, 2022. Winners will be announced in April.

For instructions, rules, and regulations on the 3R’s Art & Poetry Contest, head over to tampa.gov/3Rs.